OREANDA-NEWS. March 31, 2015. The Central Bank of Ireland has published two sets of regulations; Client Asset Regulations and Investor Money Regulations, which strengthen the safeguards around client assets and investor money.

The regulations will ensure that both investment firms and fund service providers will have stronger systems and controls in place to protect the ownership rights of clients and investors respectively.  In addition investment firms and fund service providers will have a process in place which, in the event of insolvency, will facilitate the expeditious return of client assets or investor money. 

Director of Markets Supervision, Gareth Murphy, said "The publication of these regulations marks a significant development with regard to the safeguarding of client assets and investor money in Ireland. The development of these regulations is the outcome of a lengthy period of industry consultation with investment firms and funds service providers.  The Central Bank will closely monitor the implementation of these regulations so as to ensure that our aim of enhancing investor protection and safeguarding client assets is achieved."

The Central Bank has also published guidance for Investment Firms and Fund Service Providers to assist Industry in interpreting the Regulations.