Financial Services

Acumum can help guide you through the various requirements needed to establish your company’s services and operations, as well assist you in ongoing compliance requirements.

Financial services and insurance licences

Malta
A competitive tax jurisdiction

Financial services are a burgeoning commercial area in Malta, which has seen a substantial increase in companies and operations being transferred to, or set-up in Malta.

Malta’s entry into the Eurozone in 2004 and the resulting removal of foreign exchange risk, its OECD approved tax regime and talented workforce, are just some of the factors that have made Malta extremely attractive to the financial services sector.

Regulated by a number of legislative statutes, most of which are based on EU and UK law, financial services are licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) – a single, approachable regulatory body, mandated in overseeing banking, investment services, insurance and other financial services activity.

Such financial services licences can operate via a variety of entities, such as limited liability companies (Ltds), public liability companies (PLCs), trusts and foundations.

Our Comprehensive Financial Services in Malta

At Acumum, we offer specialised legal and advisory services across Malta’s dynamic financial sector. Our team provides end-to-end support, from initial licensing applications with the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) to ongoing regulatory compliance and strategic operational guidance. We assist a diverse range of clients in navigating the complexities of the Maltese and EU financial frameworks, ensuring your business is structured for stability, growth, and success. Our goal is to be your trusted partner, providing clarity and direction in a complex regulatory environment.

Expertise Across Malta’s Key Financial Industries

We provide specialised support across the full spectrum of Malta’s financial industries. Our deep industry knowledge allows us to offer precise, actionable advice tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities within each sector.

Banking and Credit Institutions

We guide new and established banking entities through the rigorous MFSA licensing process, ensuring full compliance with capital adequacy requirements, risk management protocols, and corporate governance standards. Our support extends to ongoing regulatory reporting and strategic planning.

Investment Funds & Collective Investment Schemes

Our experts assist with the structuring, licensing, and administration of various fund types, including UCITS, Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), and Professional Investor Funds (PIFs). We ensure your investment vehicles are compliant, efficient, and structured to attract investors.

Electronic Money (EMI) & Payment Institutions

Acumum provides comprehensive support for fintech companies seeking EMI or Payment Institution licenses in Malta. We advise on regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering (AML/CFT) obligations, and operational setup to help you thrive in Europe’s digital payment ecosystem.

Insurance and Reinsurance

We offer tailored advice for captive and retail insurance companies, from formation and licensing to securing passporting rights within the EU. Our services cover regulatory compliance, policy drafting, and corporate structuring to maximise Malta’s favourable insurance legislation.

Forex Online Trading

Leveraging Malta’s status as a leading forex hub, we assist brokers and trading platforms with MiFID II compliance, MFSA licensing, and establishing a robust operational framework to serve a global client base securely and efficiently.

Other entities include:

  • SICAVs, an investment company with variable share capital (known as an ‘open-ended’ scheme), and
  • INVCOs, an investment company with fixed-share capital (known as a ‘closed-ended’ scheme).

Malta’s main financial industries are:

  • Banking and credit institutions
  • Electronic money institutions
  • Captive and retail insurance
  • Collective investment schemes
  • Investment funds
  • Forex online trading
  • Payment institutions
  • Collective investments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Malta is a highly regarded financial hub within the EU, offering a robust regulatory framework, a competitive tax regime, access to the European single market, and an English-speaking, skilled workforce. Its single, approachable regulator, the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), streamlines the licensing and oversight process.

The MFSA is the sole regulator for all financial services activities in Malta. It is responsible for licensing, regulating, and supervising credit institutions, investment firms, insurance companies, and other financial entities to ensure market stability, integrity, and consumer protection.

The process begins with a preliminary assessment of your business model to determine the appropriate license category. Key steps include preparing a detailed application, submitting supporting documentation (such as business plans, financial projections, and compliance procedures), and demonstrating that key personnel meet the ‘fit and proper’ criteria set by the MFSA.

Acumum provides comprehensive legal, corporate, and compliance support. We assist with company formation, preparing and managing MFSA license applications, drafting legal documents, navigating AML/KYC requirements, and offering ongoing advisory services to ensure your operations remain fully compliant with Maltese and EU regulations.