I. – Any portfolio management company governed byArticle L. 532-9 which, having its registered office in mainland France, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, La Réunion, Mayotte and Saint-Martin, wishes to establish a branch in another Member State of the European Union or another State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area in order to manage an authorised UCITS or provide investment services in accordance with Directive 2009/65/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009, must first notify the AMF of its plans.
The notification of freedom of establishment provided for in the previous paragraph shall be accompanied by the information provided for in 1°, 2°, 5° and 6° of II of Article D. 532-20. At the request of the Autorité des marchés financiers, the portfolio management company must also provide all the information and explanations that may enlighten the authority as to the suitability of its administrative structures or financial situation for the planned project, as well as any useful details on the compensation system or equivalent protection for the branch’s clients.
For the business of managing undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities authorised in accordance with Directive 2009/65/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009, the programme referred to in 2° of II of Article D. 532-20 shall also include a description of the risk management process implemented by the asset management company and a description of the procedures and methods for handling complaints.
The notification of freedom of establishment provided for in the first paragraph may be sent by the portfolio management company concerned to the Autorité des marchés financiers at the same time as its application for authorisation.
II. – Unless the Autorité des marchés financiers establishes that the administrative structures or the financial situation of the portfolio management company do not permit the establishment of a branch, it shall forward the notification and the information mentioned in 2°, 5° and 6° of II of this Article D. 532-20 to the competent authority of the host State mentioned in 1° of II of the same article, which has been designated as the contact point, within two months of receipt.
Where applicable, the AMF shall also send details of the compensation or equivalent protection arrangements for the branch’s customers and notify the company concerned.
III. – Where the Autorité des marchés financiers refuses to send the competent authorities of the host country referred to in 1° of II of Article D. 532-20, which has been designated as the contact point, details of the investor compensation scheme to which the portfolio management company subscribes, it shall inform the company concerned of the reasons for its refusal within two months.
IV. – The Autorité des marchés financiers shall attach to the documentation sent to the competent authorities of the portfolio management company’s host Member State an attestation confirming that the company has been authorised in accordance with the provisions of Directive 2009/65/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009, a description of the scope of the authorisation granted and details of any restrictions on the types of UCITS that the company is authorised to manage.