The significant macro themes of inflation, deglobalisation, technological innovation, demographic shifts, geopolitical conflict and the target of a net zero future highlighted in our Spring Horizon Tracker continue to shape regulation and supervision in the area of Asset Management and Investment Funds.

The regulatory focus on macroprudential policy for investment funds evident in recent years has progressed, with the Central Bank of Ireland (“Central Bank”) hosting a conference on the topic in May 2024 which was attended by a number of global regulators and the European Commission (“Commission”) issuing a consultation on macroprudential policies for non-bank financial intermediation. Other recent significant developments include the authorisation of the first European Long Term Investment Funds (“ELTIFs”) by the Central Bank, the publication of the European Securities and Markets Authority (“ESMA”) Guidelines for Funds’ Names using ESG and Sustainability-related terms and the publication of AIFMD 2.0 in the Official Journal of the EU.

KEY THEMES IN ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENT FUNDS