Europe: Finance and Banking

Maltese family businesses often avoid public listings due to fears of losing control, but going public through the Malta Stock Exchange can strengthen governance, facilitate succession planning, and unlock capital without necessarily surrendering ownership. This analysis explores how reduced free-float requirements and strategic use of debt versus equity instruments can help family enterprises build lasting legacies while maintaining meaningful control.

La Listing Act introduce cambios significativos en el Reglamento de abuso de mercado europeo, simplificando el régimen de retraso en la difusión de información privilegiada en procesos prolongados y modificando las circunstancias que permiten a los emisores demorar la divulgación pública. ¿Cómo afectarán estas reformas a las obligaciones de comunicación de los emisores y a la supervisión de los mercados financieros?

The London Stock Exchange’s updated dividend guidance sets out key announcement requirements and flags dates companies should avoid as the UK moves to T+1 settlement.

A regulatory gap that had existed for several years between the European Union and the EEA EFTA States has now closed: since 1 August 2026, Regulation (EU) 2020/1503 on European crowdfunding service providers for business, generally referred to as the ECSPR, is applicable in Liechtenstein, opening a harmonised authorisation route for qualifying crowdfunding platforms and, more importantly from a commercial perspective, bringing Liechtenstein within the European cross-border framework for regulated crowdfunding services.

Fried Frank partners Adam D. Summers and Jons Lehmann discuss the evolving fund finance market and the expanding array of liquidity solutions available to fund managers. The Q&A examines critical factors influencing tool selection, lender expectations, and how different strategies align with specific fund structures and investment approaches.

How tax transparency rules affect lending to non-Irish limited partnerships with Irish partners. This forms part of the August 2026 Edition of FUNDed

Private capital is reshaping real estate financing beyond traditional senior debt, with operational real estate at the center of this transformation. As interest rates remain elevated and traditional lenders retreat, alternative capital providers are filling the funding gap with flexible structures and creative solutions. The shift requires lenders to underwrite not just buildings, but the businesses that operate within them, fundamentally changing how distress is managed and value is realized.

Steven Geerlings shares insights from his extensive international career in asset-based lending, spanning work across the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Drawing on experience managing multi-billion euro transactions for Deutsche Bank and navigating complex cross-border finance structures, he explores the operational and legal challenges that arise when lending against assets across multiple European jurisdictions. The discussion reveals how evolving regulations and practical expertise are reshaping

UK vessel registration offers vessel owners far more than administrative compliance. From legal protection under English maritime law to international recognition and access to marine finance, Part I Registration on the UK Ship Register provides significant commercial and operational advantages for both private and commercial vessel owners navigating global waters.

Islamic finance is experiencing rapid global expansion, with assets approaching US$6tn and record sukuk issuance attracting non-traditional investors. The convergence of Shariah-compliant and sustainable investing is creating new opportunities, while AAOIFI Standard No. 62 and tokenisation developments are reshaping how Islamic finance structures are designed and implemented across international markets.

Malta's financial services sector has evolved into a sophisticated ecosystem, but what truly distinguishes it from other jurisdictions? The Malta Financial Services Authority's strategic approach to regulation...

A proposed bill of law seeks to modernize Luxembourg's securitization framework by expanding financing options beyond traditional instruments, introducing cross-compartment investment mechanisms, and extending active portfolio management capabilities to include equity positions. The reforms aim to enhance legal certainty around asset ring-fencing in insolvency scenarios while aligning the regime with contemporary market practices, particularly for Islamic finance structures and multi-compartment vehicles.