European Investment Funds: a Comprehensive Guide to UCITS, AIFs, Structure, Regulation, and Trends

Learning objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the structure, regulation, and functioning of European investment funds, in-cluding UCITS and AIFs.

2. Analyze the key regulatory frameworks governing investment funds, such as UCITS Di-rective, AIFMD, SFDR, and MiFID II.

3. Evaluate the role of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) criteria and sustainable fi-nance in investment funds.

4. Explore emerging trends and technologies shaping the future of the investment fund in-dustry.

5. Apply practical knowledge to real-world scenarios through case studies and examples.

Course Content:

Lesson 1: Introduction to Investment Funds
1. Key Differences Between UCITS and AIFs
2. Overview of the European Investment Fund Landscape
3. Definition and Purpose of Investment Funds

Lesson 2: Regulatory Framework
1. UCITS Directive and Its Significance
2. AIFMD and Alternative Investment Funds
3. SFDR and Sustainable Finance

Lesson 3: UCITS – Structure, Requirements, and Functioning
1. Permissible Investments and Diversification Rules
2. Risk Management and Liquidity Requirements
3. Cross-Border Distribution and Passporting

Lesson 4: Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and AIFMD
1. Types and Strategies of AIFs
2. Investor Protection in AIFs
3. AIFMD Compliance and Reporting

Lesson 5: Fund Management and Governance
1. Corporate Governance Principles for Funds
2. Roles of Fund Managers and Depositaries
3. Risk Management and Compliance Frameworks

Lesson 6: Marketing and Distribution of Funds
1. Investor Protection Measures and ESMA Guidelines
2. Passporting Rights for Cross-Border Marketing
3. Distribution Channels and Investor Categories

Lesson 7: Taxation and Reporting Obligations
1. Tax Treatment of Investment Funds
2. Global Reporting Standards and Compliance
3. EU Tax Directives and Their Impact

Lesson 8: ESG and Sustainable Finance in Investment Funds
1. EU Taxonomy and Sustainable Activities
2. Integrating ESG into Investment Strategies
3. SFDR and Sustainability Disclosures

Lesson 9: Future Trends and Developments
1. Evolving Regulatory Landscape
2. Emerging Investment Themes and Opportunities
3. Digitalization and Fintech in Fund Management

Training Duration

This course may take up to 5 hours to be completed. However, actual study time differs as each learner uses their own training pace.

Participants

This course is designed for:

• Fund Managers and Asset Managers: Professionals involved in managing and operating investment funds.

• Compliance and Risk Managers: Individuals responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance and managing risks.

• Financial Advisors and Distributors: Professionals involved in marketing and distributing investment funds.

• Investors: Institutional and retail investors seeking to understand the fund industry.

• Regulators and Policymakers: Individuals involved in shaping and enforcing financial regulations.

• Students and Academics: Those studying finance, economics, or related fields who want to deepen their knowledge of investment funds.

Training Method

The course is offered fully online using a self-paced approach. The learning units consist of video presentations, case studies, knowledge questions and reading material. Learners may start, stop and resume their training at any time.

At the end of the training, participants take a Quiz to complete their learning and earn a Certificate of Attendance.

Registration and Access

To register to this course, click on the Get this course button to pay online and receive your access instantly. If you are purchasing this course on behalf of others, please be advised that you will need to create or use their personal profile before finalising your payment.

If you wish to receive an invoice instead of paying online, please contact us at info@eimf.eu. Access to the course is valid for 180 days.