Malta is a jurisdiction that complies with and helps develop international best practice and is actively involved with the OECD, the EU and the Commonwealth in modelling global regulatory policy. The MFSA is a member of the European Banking Authority (EBA), the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). The Authority is also a member of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) and a signatory of the Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding with other members of these Institutions.

The MFSA has a staff of over 312 people, consisting of specialist regulators, lawyers, accountants and support staff facilitating the formulation of policy, decision making and support for both licence holders and consumers. The MFSA premises also house the International Tax Unit of the Inland Revenue Department and the Registry of Companies.

Malta’s development as an international financial centre is reflected in the range of financial services available. Malta continues to be positively ranked for its performance in the financial sector. The World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index 2015-2016 placed Malta amongst the top 20 financial jurisdictions. The Maltese financial services industry is both diversified and has a lot of depth. It operates locally, at the European level and is ready to reach globally.

The MFSA believes in the development of a dynamic framework that enables the industry to develop new products and services within a sound regulatory environment compliant with international standards. Facilitating the ongoing exchange of ideas and information between the regulatory development and product innovation processes is a key to this objective

The Board of Governors of the Authority is appointed by the Prime Minister in virtue of article 6 of The Malta Financial Services Authority Act (Cap.330).