The Central Bank of Ireland (“Central Bank”) has announced that, with effect from 7 March 2018, Irish authorised loan originating qualifying investor alternative investment funds (“L-QIAIFs”) will be permitted to engage in a broader range of activities to include investing in debt or credit instruments. This is a welcome enhancement to the Central Bank’s L-QIAIF regime, which facilitates managers operating in the direct lending sphere.
On 7 February 2018, the Central Bank published a notice of intention to amend the requirements applicable to L-QIAIFs set out in its AIF Rulebook. The amendments “to permit lending within a broader credit focused strategy” follow industry engagement with the Central Bank and build upon the enhancements introduced in January 2017, which permitted investment in debt or equity securities of entities or groups to which the L-QIAIF lends or which are held for treasury, cash management or hedging purposes.
While the Central Bank has not issued a formal consultation in relation to the announced changes, it has invited comments while the arrangements are being finalised. A revised AIF Rulebook will be published on 7 March 2018 to reflect the change.
Ireland was the first EU member state to introduce a specific regulatory framework for loan originating investment funds and we welcome the Central Bank’s willingness to keep the applicable requirements under review as investor demands and European regulation evolve. Matheson advised on the establishment of one of the first L-QIAIFs in Ireland.
For further information on Irish L-QIAIFs, please see our briefing note. The Central Bank’s announcement of 7 February 2018 may be accessed here.