(1)

It is necessary to ensure that the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and the competent authorities concerned receive all information necessary to supervise branches of third-country firms, and to ensure that such information is processed in an efficient and swift manner. The information referred to in Article 41(3) and (4) of Directive 2014/65/EU should therefore be submitted in a language that is customary in the sphere of international finance.

(2)

Article 39(2) of Directive 2014/65/EU requires that branches of third-country firms that wish to provide investment services or to perform investment activities in the territory of a Member State, acquire prior authorisation of the competent authority of that Member State. Such branches are not allowed to provide investment services or perform investment activities in other Member States than the Member State where those branches received their authorisation. The European Commission can, however, adopt an equivalence decision in accordance with Article 47(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2) stating that the legal and supervisory arrangements of that third country with regard to investment firms are equivalent to those that apply in the Union. In such a case, the authorised branches of investment firms that fall under the scope of such an equivalence decision would continue to be supervised by the competent authority of the Member State in which those branches are established, irrespective of whether they provide cross border services or performs cross border activities. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the format for the reporting of the information referred to in Article 41(3) of Directive 2014/65/EU is also apt for the reporting on such cross-border services and activities of those branches.

(3)

According to Article 41(3) of Directive 2014/65/EU, branches of third-country firms that have been authorised in accordance with Article 41(1) of that Directive are to report to the competent authority of the Member State where that authorisation was granted, on an annual basis, the information laid down in that Article 41(3). In order to harmonise not only the format, but also the timing of reporting, it is necessary to include a timeframe when that information is to be provided to competent authorities.

(4)

This Regulation is based on the draft implementing technical standards submitted to the Commission by ESMA.

(5)

ESMA has conducted open public consultations on the draft implementing technical standards on which this Regulation is based, analysed the potential related costs and benefits and requested the advice of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group established in accordance with Article 37 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3),