MiFID II

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MiFID II (Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II) came into force in January 2018 in the European Union, marking a milestone in financial market regulation. It succeeds MiFID I, introduced in 2007, and aims to strengthen transparency, investor protection and the stability of the European financial system. MiFID II applies to investment services providers, portfolio managers, banks and stock exchanges, impacting a wide range of financial players.

One of MiFID II’s key advances is the strengthening of pre- and post-trade transparency requirements for financial products. This means that trading platforms must now publish clear information on product prices prior to trading, and disclose details of transactions once they have taken place. The aim is to provide investors with greater market visibility and reduce the risk of price manipulation.

At the same time, MiFID II introduces strict rules to protect retail investors. Financial service providers must ensure that the products they offer correspond to the risk profile and needs of their customers. A detailed assessment of product suitability and appropriateness is therefore required prior to any recommendation or sale. In addition, information provided to customers must be clear, fair and not misleading, a principle designed to combat conflicts of interest.

The directive also imposes a strict separation between financial research and brokerage services, with the aim of limiting potential conflicts of interest. Asset managers must now pay separately for research, which increases transparency of costs borne by customers.

MiFID II also seeks to regulate derivatives via trading obligations on regulated platforms, in an effort to improve transaction supervision and limit systemic risks.

Despite its laudable aims, MiFID II has attracted criticism, not least for its complexity and the high cost of compliance for financial sector players. Some professionals believe that the regulation, while indispensable, could penalize the competitiveness of European markets vis-à-vis other less-regulated regions.

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