What exactly is Mifid II and what does it mean for the ordinary investor?

If you’re an investor, it’s likely that you’ll have heard discussions or read reports around the arrival of Mifid II. It’s just as likely that you won’t have had much idea of what Mifid II is or how it might affect you and your investments.

‘Mifid’ is an acronym for the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive, which was introduced in 2007 by the EU with the aim of increasing transparency in investment for those investing in both the retail and institutional sectors. It also standardised the requirements for regulatory disclosures in certain markets. Essentially, those in the investment sector were required to openly offer a standard explanation of any costs, charges and fees, making matters much clearer for investors.

Mifid II is the second iteration of this directive, which builds on the regulation introduced by the first. Required to be fully implemented by 3rd January 2018, it is now the new rulebook for trading for EU countries, creating even greater transparency across their financial markets.

Firms affected by Mifid II are those providing services to clients linked to ‘financial instruments’ and the places where they are traded. Such instruments include bonds, shares, derivatives and units in collective investment schemes. Simply put, Mifid II now governs how providers, traders, brokers and advisers exchange data and information, as well as the way in which they charge investors and how those charges are disclosed.

Whilst the UK is set to leave the EU, as Mifid II has been implemented before Brexit takes place, UK firms are required to comply with the new regulation. That said, the Brexit process will almost certainly make matters more complicated, as financial services firms attempt to adjust to the currently undefined marketplace that will exist once the UK has left the EU.

Financial services firms are required to hold accurate customer information, so clients of such firms should have already received a letter asking them to confirm their information, including their nationality and national client identifier, to ensure the firm is complying with the EU directive.

Whilst Mifid II is intended to improve the transparency and suitability of propositions for investors, some of the additional costs incurred by firms – such as fund managers no longer being able to get free investment research from brokerages and investment banks they use – could also end up being passed onto investors, in some cases. Ultimately, some investors could find investment within EU markets more transparent than ever, but may also end up paying a little more because of this.

Sources

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/investing/article-4707612/What-does-MiFID-II-mean-investors-explain.html
https://www.ft.com/content/ae935520-96ff-11e7-b83c-9588e51488a0

If this blog has raised any questions why don't we have a quick chat?

Garry Hale
MD & Certified Financial Planner

A brief meeting might be of interest, especially if you’re unsure just how wealth management and financial planning could help you.

It would only require the investment of an hour or so of your time, and the coffee’s not bad either.

Schedule a call or Send an enquiry

January 3, 2018

What exactly is Mifid II and what does it mean for the ordinary investor? | HK Wealth