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.

• 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).

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