ESMA

Commission Sends MiFID II Draft RTS Back to ESMA for Revision

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On March 17, Markus Ferber, MEP, the European Parliament’s Rapporteur for MiFID II, published a press release announcing that the European Commission had sent back to European Securities and Markets Authority (“ESMA”) the draft regulatory technical standards (RTS) on non-equity transparency, the ancillary activity exemption, and position limits for commodity derivatives for further revision to take the Parliament’s position more thoroughly into account.

Mr. Ferber explains that the latest draft RTS were not acceptable to the Parliament, especially the position limits regime, which he believes urgently needs a comprehensive redrafting to effectively curb food speculation. He believes that the latest drafts were not up to standard and would not have solved the problem at all.

Mr. Ferber expects ESMA to revisit the technical standards swiftly, thoroughly and to adapt them in line with the Parliament’s remarks. However, the redrafting must not further delay the overall MiFID II timeline. He adds that, since the Parliament’s concerns were known and available for quite some time, the Commission and ESMA could easily have acted earlier.

ESMA Practical Guidance on its Recognition of Third Country CCPS

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European Securities and Markets Authority (“ESMA”) has published practical guidance on the recognition by it of third country central counterparties (CCPs) under EMIR (ESMA/2016/365). The guidance is dated March 17, 2016.

The guidance covers the following phases in the application process:

  • Communications with ESMA before submitting an application for recognition.
  • Timeframe for submission of an application.
  • Submission of an application, including format, number of copies and language.
  • ESMA’s acknowledgement of the receipt of an application.
  • Information on the calculation of deadlines set by ESMA.
  • Assessment of completeness, requests for additional information and notification of completeness.
  • ESMA’s examination of the application.
  • ESMA’s decision on the recognition application.
  • Publication on ESMA’s website.

ESAs Publish Final Draft Technical Standards on Margin Requirements for Non-Centrally Cleared Derivatives

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The Joint Committee of the European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA, ESMA) (“ESAs“) has published final draft Regulatory Technical Standards (“RTS“) outlining the framework of the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR). The RTS cover the risk mitigation techniques related to the exchange of collateral to cover exposures arising from non-centrally cleared OTC derivatives. They also specify the criteria concerning intragroup exemptions and the definitions of practical and legal impediments to the prompt transfer of funds between counterparties.

The draft RTS prescribe that, for OTC derivatives not cleared by a Central Counterparty, counterparties have to exchange both initial and variation margins. This will reduce counterparty credit risk, mitigate any potential systemic risk and ensure alignment with international standards. The draft RTS outline the list of eligible collateral for the exchange of margins, the criteria to ensure the collateral is sufficiently diversified and not subject to wrong-way risk, as well as the methods to determine appropriate collateral haircuts. The draft RTS also lay down the operational procedures relating to documentation, legal assessments of the enforceability of the agreements and the timing of the collateral exchange, as well as the procedures for counterparties and competent authorities related to the treatment of intragroup derivative contracts.

European Commission Adopts Delegated Regulation Relating to EMIR Clearing Obligations for Certain Credit Derivative Contracts

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On March 1, the European Commission adopted a Delegated Regulation supplementing the European Union regulation on derivatives, central counterparties and trade repositories (“EMIR”).

EMIR requires mandatory clearing of certain over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives. The European Securities and Market Authority (ESMA) is required under EMIR to propose the classes of OTC derivatives that should be subject to clearing, as well as the different dates from which the clearing obligation will take effect for the different types of counterparties identified.

OTC derivative contracts concluded between the first authorisation of a central counterparty under EMIR and the later date on which the clearing obligation actually takes effect are also subject to clearing, unless they have a remaining maturity lower than the minimum remaining maturities which are to be laid down in the regulatory technical standards (Frontloading Requirement).

The Delegated Regulation determines the classes of the credit default swaps OTC derivative contracts that are subject to the clearing obligation and four different categories of counterparties for which different phase-in periods apply.

The Delegated Regulation also lays down the minimum remaining maturities for the purposes of the Frontloading Requirement as well as the dates on which the frontloading should start.  Delegated Regulation.

Delegated Regulation Adopted Under Market Abuse Regulation

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On February 26, the European Commission adopted a Delegated Regulation supplementing the Market Abuse Regulation (No. 596/2014) (“MAR“) laying down regulatory technical standards on accepted market practice.

MAR defines “accepted market practice” as a specific market practice that is accepted by a competent authority of a member state (Article 3(1) MAR). ESMA is required to develop draft regulatory technical standards specifying the criteria, procedure and requirements for establishing an accepted market practice and the requirements for maintaining or terminating it or modifying the conditions for its acceptance. The Delegated Regulation provides for a list of “supervised persons” for the purposes of the Delegated Regulation, and lays down requirements for establishing an accepted market practice.

The Council of the EU and European Parliament are expected to review and consider the Delegated Regulation. Provided there are no objections the Delegated Regulation will apply from July 2, 2016.

Commission Extends by One Year the Application Date for the MiFID II Package

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On February 10, the European Commission published a press release announcing it is proposing a one year extension to the application date of the MiFID II legislative package (that is, the MiFID II Directive (2014/65/EU) and the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation (Regulation 600/2014) (MiFIR).

To implement its proposal, the Commission has published:

  • A legislative proposal for a Directive amending the MiFID II Directive as regards certain dates.
  • A legislative proposal for a Regulation amending MiFIR, the Market Abuse Regulation (Regulation 596/2014) (MAR) and the Regulation on improving securities settlement and regulating central securities depositories (CSDs) (Regulation 909/2014) (CSDR) as regards certain dates.

Member states must transpose the MiFID II Directive by July 3, 2016. Both the MiFID II Directive and MiFIR are scheduled to apply from January 3, 2017. Under the Commission’s proposal, national competent authorities (NCAs) and market participants will have an additional year to comply with MiFID II. The proposed new application date is January 3, 2018.

The Commission is proposing the application date extension as a result of the complex technical data infrastructure that needs to be established so that MiFID II can operate effectively. As a result of significant challenges in collecting the data that is needed, ESMA informed the Commission in October 2015 that neither NCAs nor market participants will have the necessary systems ready by January 3, 2017. As a result, ESMA has concluded that a delay is unavoidable.

In the light of these exceptional circumstances, and to avoid legal uncertainty and potential market disruption, the Commission considers an extension of the MiFID II application date is necessary.

European Commission and U.S. CFTC Agree Common Approach on Requirements for Transatlantic CCPs

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On February 10, the European Commission published a statement setting out details of the common approach it has agreed with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on requirements for transatlantic central counterparties (CCPs).

The statement explains that the agreement reached will ensure that EU CCPs will be able to do business in the U.S. more easily, and that U.S. CCPs can continue to provide services to EU companies. To implement the agreement:

  • The Commission intends to shortly propose for adoption an equivalence decision under the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (“EMIR”) with respect to CFTC requirements for U.S. CCPs. This will allow the European Securities and Markets Authority (“ESMA”) to recognize U.S. CCPs wanting to serve EU markets as soon as practicable. Once recognized, a U.S. CCP may continue to provide services in the EU while complying primarily with CFTC requirements. It will also become a qualifying CCP for the purposes of the Capital Requirements Regulation (Regulation 575/2013) (CRR), which will lower costs for EU banks and their subsidiaries.
  • The CFTC will propose a determination of comparability with respect to EU requirements. This will permit EU CCPs to provide services to U.S. clearing members and clients while complying primarily with certain corresponding EU requirements. The CFTC will also streamline the registration process for EU CCPs wishing to register with it.
  • The Commission will shortly propose the adoption of an equivalence decision to determine that U.S. trading venues are equivalent to regulated markets in the EU. This will provide a level playing field between EU and U.S. trading venues for the purposes of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (2004/39/EC) (MiFID).
  • The steps needed to implement the agreement will be put in place as soon as practicable, and the Commission will work with the CFTC to ensure that the changes are implemented in a co-ordinated manner. The Commission will also work with the CFTC to monitor the impacts resulting from the changes, and assess whether any further actions are necessary to ensure financial stability or prevent regulatory arbitrage.

Commenting on the agreement in a separate statement, ESMA advises that, once the Commission’s equivalence decision on the U.S. regime is adopted under EMIR, it will “rapidly” resume the recognition process of specific CFTC-supervised U.S. CCPs that had applied to it to be recognized in the EU. Although EMIR gives ESMA up to 180 working days to conclude the recognition process, ESMA intends to do everything it can to shorten the period, and will proceed with recognition as soon as the U.S. applicant CCPs meet the conditions contained in the equivalence decision. Given the June 21, 2016 deadline for the start of the EMIR clearing obligation in the EU, ESMA understands that U.S. CCPs will have a strong interest in becoming fully compliant with EU equivalence conditions, which should help to shorten the period.

European Supervisory Authorities Request Response from European Commissioner to Inconsistencies in Cross-Selling Legislation

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On 26 January 2016, the Chairpersons of the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) (i.e. EBA, EIOPA and ESMA) sent a letter to the European Commissioner for the Directorate General Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union.

The letter flags up that differences in primary legislation currently preclude the ESAs from developing consistent guidelines on cross selling across the investments, insurance and banking sectors in the EU and asks that the Commission look into the differences in financial services legislation and consider the steps required in order to guarantee that the ESAs are fully equipped to regulate these practices, to the benefit of consumers, financial institutions and supervisory authorities. The ESAs suggest that the Commission may have an opportunity to review these matters as part of its follow up to its September 2015 call for evidence on the EU framework for the regulation of financial services and its December 2015 green paper on retail financial services.

ESMA and South African and Mexican Authorities to Cooperate Under EMIR on CCPs

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On 26 January 2016, ESMA announced that had entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with each of the Mexican Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores (CNBV) and the South African Financial Services Board (FSB) under the European Markets Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR).

EMIR provides for co-operation arrangements to be established by ESMA and non-EU authorities whose legal and supervisory framework for CCPs have been deemed equivalent to EMIR by the European Commission. The memoranda set out the terms on which the two authorities will cooperate and share information with ESMA regarding Central Counterparties (CCPs) which are authorised or recognized in Mexico or South Africa, and which have applied for EU recognition under EMIR. As well as establishing these arrangements, the MoUs provide ESMA with adequate tools to monitor the on-going compliance by the CCPs with the recognition conditions contained in EMIR. The MoU with FSB entered into force on 30 November 2015 and the MoU with the CNBV entered into force on 25 January 2016.  Press release. CNBV MoU. FSB MoU.

ESMA Opinion Highlights Differences with the European Commission on the Main Indices and Recognized Exchanges Under CRR

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On 19 December 2014, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) submitted to the European Commission draft implementing technical standards (ITS), pursuant to the Capital Requirements Regulation 575/2013, specifying a list of main indices and recognized exchanges. On 17 December 2015, the European Commission informed ESMA of its intention to amend the draft ITS by including two additional equity indices (the Russell 3000 Index and the Hang Send Composite Index). In an opinion (ESMA/2016/163), published on 29 January 2016, ESMA made recommendations in response to this intention.

ESMA argues that the Russell 3000 Index and the Hang Send Composite Index should not be included in the ITS on the grounds that these indices do not contain relatively liquid instruments in an EEA economy, given that they are mainly composed of US and Asian Stocks. Instead, ESMA suggests adding four other additional indices (Russell 1000 Index, Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300, the S&P BSE 100 Index and FTSE Nasdaq Dubai UAE 20 Index), and replacing the Nikkei 225 with the Nikkei 300 and the NZSE 10 with the S&P NZX 15 Index. ESMA’s opinion recognizes the value of incorporating a large number of indices as this will cast a wider net of eligible collateral that European banks can use.

Finally, given the frequency with which updates to ITS are needed, ESMA suggests that the Commission reviews the regime to avoid each modification requiring a full legislative cycle.