Depositary lite - AIFMD Provision

Non-EU AIFs marketed by an EU AIFM to EU investors through private placement are subject to certain somewhat diminished depositary requirements (Article 36 AIFMD) - this is known as the "depositary lite" or "depo-lite" regime

An AIFM must ensure one or more entities are appointed to carry out the following duties of:
- Cash flow monitoring (Article 21(7));
- Safe keeping of assets, both financial instruments and OTC (Articles 21(8)(a) and 21(8)(b); and
- Oversight (Article 21(9))
Unlike Article 21 (which covers the full depositary obligations of an EU AIFM / EU AIF) there is no strict liability for loss of assets for a non-EU AIF, and no requirement to appoint a single depositary - therefore this regime is referred to as "Depositary-Lite" or "Depo-Lite".

Paragraph 36, AIFMD

AIFMD, 36
Article 36 Conditions for the marketing in Member States without a passport of non-EU AIFs managed by an EU AIFM
36(1). Without prejudice to Article 35, Member States may allow an authorised EU AIFM to market to professional investors, in their territory only, units or shares of non-EU AIFs it manages and of EU feeder AIFs that do not fulfil the requirements referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 31(1), provided that:

(a) the AIFM complies with all the requirements established in this Directive with the exception of Article 21. That AIFM shall however ensure that one or more entities are appointed to carry out the duties referred to in Article 21(7), 21(8) and 21(9). The AIFM shall not perform those functions. The AIFM shall provide its supervisory authorities with information about the identity of those entities responsible for carrying out the duties referred to in Article 21(7), 21(8) and 21(9);

(b) appropriate cooperation arrangements for the purpose of systemic risk oversight and in line with international standards are in place between the competent authorities of the home Member State of the AIFM and the supervisory authorities of the third country where the non-EU AIF is established in order to ensure an efficient exchange of information that allows the competent authorities of the home Member State of the AIFM to carry out their duties in accordance with this Directive;

(c) the third country where the non-EU AIF is established is not listed as a Non-Cooperative Country and Territory by FATF.

36(2). Member States may impose stricter rules on the AIFM in respect of the marketing of units or shares of non-EU AIFs to investors in their territory for the purpose of this Article.
36(3). The Commission shall adopt, by means of delegated acts in accordance with Article 56 and subject to the conditions of Articles 57 and 58, measures regarding the cooperation arrangements referred to in paragraph 1 in order to design a common framework to facilitate the establishment of those cooperation arrangements with third countries.
36(4). In order to ensure uniform application of this Article, ESMA shall develop guidelines to determine the conditions of application of the measures adopted by the Commission regarding the cooperation arrangements referred to in paragraph 1.

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AIFMD

This is an article about Alternative Investment Funds Management Directive (2011/61/EU (EUR Lex)) and the AIFMD Implementing Regulation 231/2013 (EUR Lex).