The Malta Financial Services Authority today published a Shareholding Policy directed at Credit Institutions and Insurance Companies. The Policy sets out the MFSA’s assessment of shareholding structures of credit institutions and insurance companies and also the risk appetite in relation to the assessment of shareholding structures of such entities. Prospective applicants for such licences are advised that the MFSA has no risk appetite for limited shareholding structures that may adversely impact the overall governance, financial soundness and resilience of a licence holder.

The Policy provides a comprehensive overview of the MFSA’s approach to the assessment of shareholding structures and explains how the Authority assesses the acquisition of shareholding in prospective and existing credit institutions and insurance companies. It also addresses the impact that this may have on the overall governance arrangements. A robust regulatory assessment process of shareholding structures is critical in ensuring that qualifying shareholders are in a position to carry out their responsibilities and contribute to the effective governance of an institution and its decision making. In assessing the shareholding structure of prospective credit institutions and insurance companies, as part of the overall governance arrangements of an entity, the MFSA follows and applies the relevant European, as well as the national regulatory framework, which transposes and reflects European Directives.

“The Shareholding Policy for Credit Institutions and Insurance Companies complements other efforts being made by the MFSA in promoting good corporate governance practices across the financial services industry,” said the MFSA CEO, Joseph Cuschieri.