Date Published 11/07/2022
Pre Marketing of Investment Funds: Updated Guidance
The EU’s new regulatory framework facilitating the cross-border distribution of collective investment schemes took effect on 2 August 2021. EC Directive 2019/1160 and Regulation 2019/1156 are designed to assist in the removal of barriers to cross border investments within the EU, to harmonise the varying regulatory systems across EU Member States, and to introduce new marketing and information provision requirements for funds. While the Regulation has been directly effective across EU Member States since 1 August 2019, the provisions of the Directive were transposed into Irish law by the EU (AIFM) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 414 of 2021). In this article we examine the impact of these new rules, with a specific focus on the changes to be noted prior to commencing pre-marketing of potential AIF’s.
Pre-Marketing Stage
The Directive establishes new parameters within which EU AIFMs (only) may ‘pre-market’, which is defined as “a direct or indirect provision of information on investment strategies or investment ideas by an AIFM or on its behalf to professional investors domiciled or registered in the EU in order to test their interest in an AIF which is not yet established”.
Under the Directive, in order to be considered ‘pre-marketing’, an activity must fall within the above definition and satisfy the following conditions:
1. it must not amount to an offer or placement and whilst draft documents can be distributed to potential investors, no subscription documents can be provided;
2. draft documents should be clearly marked as such and explicitly state that all information provided at the pre-marketing stage is incomplete, subject to change and should therefore not be relied upon; and
3. AIFMs shall be required to document all pre-marketing activities and provide an update to their local regulator detailing their pre-marketing activities within 2 weeks of commencement.
This written notification must:
• Identify the EU Member States where pre marketing has commenced or is planned;
• Identify the AIFs and Sub Funds being pre-marketed (if any); and
• Set out the details of the pre-marketing including details of the relevant investment strategies.
Other Changes
The Directive addresses other issues, such as a new procedure for notifications of material changes of information filed for the marketing passport, within specified timeframes depending on circumstances.
The Directive provides for a new procedure for discontinuing marketing.
The Regulation imposes similar standards of marketing communications on EU AIFMs and UCITS. Fund marketing communications must: (i) be identifiable as such; (ii) describe the benefits and risks of certain investment options; and (iii) not contain misleading information.
Recommended Action:
It is advisable for fund managers intending to market to EU investors to review their marketing processes and documentation, as well as cross-border facilities to ensure that they are in compliance with the new requirements