Introduction to the Payments Insights Series The European Commission is currently in the process of updating the EU’s legal framework for payment services. These proposals include: A proposed Third Payment Services Directive (the ‘PSD3’) which is a directive on payment services and electronic money services in the EU’s internal market which will repeal the Second Payment Services Directive (the ‘PSD2’) and the Second Electronic Money Directive (the 'EMD2’); and A proposed new Payment Services Regulation (the ‘PSR’). The proposed legal amendments aim to: Strengthen the protection of users and enhance confidence in payments and electronic money services; Improve the competitiveness…
Following from the recent geopolitical developments in Ukraine, there has been a heightened interest in international sanctions. Through this series of articles, we aim to provide a general overview of the notion of sanctions, consider the local framework through which sanctions function in Malta, illustrate the general obligations which subject persons are required to observe vis-à-vis sanctions and discuss a general overview of the sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia. In this seventh article, we shall consider the salient aspects of the guidance provided by the European Commission from these frequently answered questions. The European Commission has issued a…
With the increased importance of corporate social responsibility and the development of the manner in which banks collect, manage, store and report data, it is imperative for banks to ensure that they have the right data strategy, integrated data solutions and suitable governance and compliances practices in place. Having a proper data strategy ensures not only that all legal requirements and supervisory expectations are being adhered to, but also that license holders keep up with current market trends and continue to build customers’ trust. Although internationally (including at European Union level), data requirements and practices have been codified for banks…