According to a PwC European-wide survey, just over half of firms within all financial services industry sectors are considering MiFID II within the context of the wider regulatory change landscape. The report, “Are you taking control of the MiFID II agenda?” published by PwC, also reveals that although it is too early for firms to establish the cost of MiFID II, over half have allocated budget and have undertaken some initial activity in 2012.

George Lambrou, Advisory Services partner at PwC Cyprus said:

“Despite MiFID II deadlines being pushed back, it remains a key component of wider regulatory reform. Our survey findings show that a number of firms have already set up working groups and are raising internal awareness, conducting initial high level impact assessments and undertaking analysis of the potential scenarios of MiFID II outcomes. Financial services firms are right to act sooner in order to set their future strategy and develop related systems and processes to prepare their business for MiFID II. ”

The key findings of the Report are:

• Survey respondents expect and acknowledge that MIFID II will have major strategic impacts and will significantly influence their systems and business models
• Respondents were not clear on the cost of dealing with MiFID II, but over 50% allocated budget and have undertaken some initial activity in 2012
• Many firms will be considering undertaking a strategic analysis of the impacts before the end of 2012. Asset Managers appeared to have done less work on this at the time of our survey compared to broker dealers, retail banks and private banks
• Survey respondents seem to believe that lobbying is unlikely to change the minds of regulators or politicians with regard to MiFID II. Over half of respondents stated they would not undertake lobbying at any stage.
• Broker dealers have engaged more actively on lobbying as opposed to asset managers and retail firms.
• As the impact of MiFID II will be more significant for broker dealers, the majority of them have a relatively good understanding of the technical requirements within the MiFID II proposals and are including implementation plans for MiFID II in the context of the wider regulatory reform agenda
• Only 56% of survey respondents said they were considering the draft legislation for MiFID II within the context of the wider landscape of regulatory change.

George Lambrou concluded:

“Recognising the importance of considering MiFID II within the broader landscape of regulatory reform should help firms manage their change programmes in a more effective manner, compared to those who intend to deal with MiFID II in isolation. MiFID II is not just a compliance exercise. Given the magnitude of commercial and operational impacts, successful implementation will require early involvement of relevant business lines and key functions such as IT and operations.”

Acting now on MiFID II in the context of wider regulatory reform will help firms to react to the market changes that will arise early, in order not to lose profitability or surrender market share to competitors.