MiFID

MiFID is the abbreviation for the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive. These are guidelines set by the European Union’s (EU) parliament and council which dictate the EU financial instrument market.

The EU guidelines aim to regulate the securities market throughout the EU. Additionally, MiFID guidelines are meant to provide greater protection for investors (particularly small investors) in the EU.

To accomplish this, the MiFID specifies a number of rules and transparency obligations.

MiFID is primarily relevant for Swiss financial intermediaries with offices in EU countries or those which operate cross-border wealth management services.

But MiFID guidelines are also becoming increasingly relevant to Swiss onshore wealth management. The FINMA distribution rules of 2010, which proposed a long list of new regulatory measures relating to investment consulting and wealth management, are often cited as an example this.