How are investors protected in Liechtenstein?

Investor protection includes policies, regulations and laws designed to protect private investors and their assets from abuse, poor advice, unfair practices and excessive risk.

As a member of the EEA, Liechtenstein also applies the EU regulations MIFID (Markets in Financial Instruments Directive) and UCITS (Undertakings for the Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) in the context of investor protection. These regulations increase the transparency of financial products. With the revision of the EU Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II), the European legislators expanded the harmonised regulatory framework for investment services in a number of key areas. MiFID II contains a comprehensive package of measures to enhance the protection of investors.

Deposits with banks up to a maximum of CHF 100,000 per customer are covered by the deposit guarantee scheme. Securities (e.g. shares, certificates, investment fund units) are not deposits and are not protected by the deposit guarantee scheme. However, they are the property of the customers and are held in custody for them by the bank or securities trading company.