Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (Mifid)

In 1998, the Commission published its ‘Framework for Action’ designed to create a Single Market for wholesale financial services. Part of the initiative was an Investment Services Directive aimed at improving cross border securities trading.  This initiative became MiFID which covered issues such as

·                The conduct of business of investment firms;

·                A requirement to effect ‘best execution’ principles on all trades;

·                A system of client categorisation giving greater protections to retail clients;

·                New regulations for market standards;

·                Pre and post trade equity transparency; and

·                Transaction reporting

The financial crisis of 2010 was an occasion for reviewing all aspects of financial regulation and the MiFID regime was no exception.  The discovery of huge derivative trading outside of recognised exchanges was seen by many as a possible source of systemic instability.  In October 2011 the Commission announced reforms to MiFID which have now become MiFID II which is scheduled to be in force in January 2017.