AIFMs shall be able to demonstrate to the [F2FCA] that an appropriate liquidity management system and effective procedures referred to in [F3rule 3.6.3 of the Investment Funds sourcebook] are in place taking into account the investment strategy, the liquidity profile and the redemption policy of each AIF.
Textual Amendments
F2Word in Art. 46 substituted (31.12.2020) by The Alternative Investment Fund Managers (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/328), regs. 1(3), 27(2)(a) (as amended by S.I. 2019/325, regs. 1(3), 58); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F3Words in Art. 46 substituted (31.12.2020) by The Alternative Investment Fund Managers (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/328), regs. 1(3), 27(2)(b) (as amended by S.I. 2019/325, regs. 1(3), 58); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
1.The liquidity management system and procedures referred to in Article 46 shall at least, ensure that:
(a)the AIFM maintains a level of liquidity in the AIF appropriate to its underlying obligations, based on an assessment of the relative liquidity of the AIF’s assets in the market, taking account of the time required for liquidation and the price or value at which those assets can be liquidated, and their sensitivity to other market risks or factors;
(b)the AIFM monitors the liquidity profile of the AIF’s portfolio of assets, having regard to the marginal contribution of individual assets which may have a material impact on liquidity, and the material liabilities and commitments, contingent or otherwise, which the AIF may have in relation to its underlying obligations. For these purposes the AIFM shall take into account the profile of the investor base of the AIF, including the type of investors, the relative size of investments and the redemption terms to which these investments are subject;
(c)the AIFM, where the AIF invests in other collective investment undertakings, monitors the approach adopted by the managers of those other collective investment undertakings to the management of liquidity, including through conducting periodic reviews to monitor changes to the redemption provisions of the underlying collective investment undertakings in which the AIF invests. Subject to [F4rule 3.6.3 of the Investment Funds sourcebook], this obligation shall not apply where the other collective investment undertakings in which the AIF invests are actively traded on a [F5UK regulated market within the meaning of point (13A) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014] or an equivalent third country market;
(d)the AIFM implements and maintains appropriate liquidity measurement arrangements and procedures to assess the quantitative and qualitative risks of positions and of intended investments which have a material impact on the liquidity profile of the portfolio of the AIF’s assets to enable their effects on the overall liquidity profile to be appropriately measured. The procedures employed shall ensure that the AIFM has the appropriate knowledge and understanding of the liquidity of the assets in which the AIF has invested or intends to invest including, where applicable, the trading volume and sensitivity of prices and, as the case may be, or spreads of individual assets in normal and exceptional liquidity conditions;
(e)the AIFM considers and puts into effect the tools and arrangements, including special arrangements, necessary to manage the liquidity risk of each AIF under its management. The AIFM shall identify the types of circumstances where these tools and arrangements may be used in both normal and exceptional circumstances, taking into account the fair treatment of all AIF investors in relation to each AIF under management. The AIFM may use such tools and arrangements only in these circumstances and if appropriate disclosures have been made in accordance with Article 108.
2.AIFMs shall document their liquidity management policies and procedures, as referred to in paragraph 1, review them on at least an annual basis and update them for any changes or new arrangements.
3.AIFMs shall include appropriate escalation measures in their liquidity management system and procedures, as referred to in paragraph 1, to address anticipated or actual liquidity shortages or other distressed situations of the AIF.
4.Where the AIFM manages an AIF which is a leveraged closed-ended AIF, point (e) of paragraph 1 shall not apply.
Textual Amendments
F4Words in Art. 47(1)(c) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Alternative Investment Fund Managers (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/328), regs. 1(3), 27(3)(a) (as amended by S.I. 2019/325, regs. 1(3), 58); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F5Words in Art. 47(1)(c) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Alternative Investment Fund Managers (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/328), regs. 1(3), 27(3)(b) (as amended by S.I. 2019/325, regs. 1(3), 58); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
1.AIFMs shall, where appropriate, considering the nature, scale and complexity of each AIF they manage, implement and maintain adequate limits for the liquidity or illiquidity of the AIF consistent with its underlying obligations and redemption policy and in accordance with the requirements laid down in Article 44 relating to quantitative and qualitative risk limits.
AIFMs shall monitor compliance with those limits and where limits are exceeded or likely to be exceeded, they shall determine the required (or necessary) course of action. In determining appropriate action, AIFMs shall consider the adequacy of the liquidity management policies and procedures, the appropriateness of the liquidity profile of the AIF’s assets and the effect of atypical levels of redemption requests.
2.AIFMs shall regularly conduct stress tests, under normal and exceptional liquidity conditions, which enable them to assess the liquidity risk of each AIF under their management. The stress tests shall:
(a)be conducted on the basis of reliable and up-to-date information in quantitative terms or, where this is not appropriate, in qualitative terms;
(b)where appropriate, simulate a shortage of liquidity of the assets in the AIF and atypical redemption requests;
(c)cover market risks and any resulting impact, including on margin calls, collateral requirements or credit lines;
(d)account for valuation sensitivities under stressed conditions;
(e)be conducted at a frequency which is appropriate to the nature of the AIF, taking in to account the investment strategy, liquidity profile, type of investor and redemption policy of the AIF, and at least once a year.
3.AIFMs shall act in the best interest of investors in relation to the outcome of any stress tests.
1.For the purposes of [F6rule 3.6.2 of the Investment Funds sourcebook], the investment strategy, liquidity profile and redemption policy of each AIF managed by an AIFM shall be considered to be aligned when investors have the ability to redeem their investments in a manner consistent with the fair treatment of all AIF investors and in accordance with the AIF’s redemption policy and its obligations.
2.In assessing the alignment of the investment strategy, liquidity profile and redemption policy the AIFM shall also have regard to the impact that redemptions may have on the underlying prices or spreads of the individual assets of the AIF.
Textual Amendments
F6Words in Art. 49(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Alternative Investment Fund Managers (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/328), regs. 1(3), 27(4) (as amended by S.I. 2019/325, regs. 1(3), 58); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Textual Amendments
F1Words in Ch. 3 Section 4 heading omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Alternative Investment Fund Managers (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/328), regs. 1(3), 27(1) (as amended by S.I. 2019/325, regs. 1(3), 58); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)