What is MiFID II?

What is MiFID II, and how has it Affected the European Investment Market

One of the most influential laws enacted by the European Union to regulate the investment sector is the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive. This directive, which is usually referred to as MiFID, has been in place since 2007 and has dramatically changed how the investment sector is run. So what is MiFID II? Well, recently, the legislation was significantly updated, and it is now known as “MiFID II”. MiFID II is intended to be a stronger version of the previous law, and it is focused mainly on increasing customer protection, making trading platforms more open, and ensuring that portfolios are properly managed.

MiFID II makes transactions & information more transparent

With the updated version of MiFID, trading transactions and information will be more transparent than ever before. MiFID II requires that all prices are clearly posted before and after trades are completed, no matter the type of trading platform on which transactions occur. This gives investors access to a whole new scope of data and information and enables them to make more educated decisions regarding their clients’ portfolios.

What MiFID II covers

Additionally, the new-and-improved MiFID II will also cover more types of financial instruments (rather than just shares). This means that bonds exchanged traded funds, depository receipts, derivatives, and structured finance products will now all follow the same regulations. Sellers will be required to clearly state their prices before and after all transactions, as well as other pertinent information. The main purpose of this new requirement is to allow retail firms and their customers to find the best deals available by comparing prices and other factors from the newly available data.

MiFID II now covers structured deposits as well. Previously, structured deposits were not regulated by the European Union, despite the fact that they are quite a common investment and have several protection challenges. With the introduction of the new regulations, companies that sell and purchase structured deposits will have to comply with certain rules regarding interactions with clients and oversight by supervisory bodies, as well as a variety of other stipulations.

Another major change in MiFID II is that some firms will be banned from accepting payments or benefits (“inducements”) from third parties. Thus, if an individual (such as a consultant) or a firm provides financial advice on another individual’s behalf, they no longer will be able to keep any payment that they receive. Instead, they will be forced to transfer this payment along to the actual investor. This provision marks a major change for the European financial sector.

Lastly, MiFID II also affects retail investors. The law will substantially increase the protection of retail investors and will severely limit the types of financial instruments with which retail investors can complete transactions without being legally obligated to consult a trader or similar professional.