Financial Market Authority (FMA)

Basic Information

The Financial Market Authority (FMA) Liechtenstein is the independent financial regulatory authority of the Principality of Liechtenstein. Established as an autonomous public law institution, the FMA oversees all financial market participants operating within the country’s jurisdiction. The authority maintains its headquarters in Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein.

Historical Background

The FMA Liechtenstein was created under the Financial Market Authority Act (FMA Act) to provide integrated supervision of Liechtenstein’s financial sector. The organization was designed as an independent entity with legal personality, not bound by government instructions in its regulatory activities. This structure ensures impartial oversight of financial markets while maintaining cooperation with international regulatory bodies.

Legal Authority and Regulatory Framework

The FMA operates under the legal foundation of the Financial Market Authority Act (FMA Act), which defines its organizational structure, responsibilities, and powers. As Liechtenstein’s primary financial regulator, the FMA has authority over:

• Banks and financial institutions
• Insurance companies
• Investment firms
• Payment service providers
• Collective investment schemes
• Trust and company service providers

The FMA also enforces compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) requirements.

Core Responsibilities and Regulatory Scope

The FMA Liechtenstein performs several critical functions:

• Licensing and supervision of financial service providers
• Monitoring compliance with financial market regulations
• Investigating potential violations of financial laws
• Issuing warnings and sanctions when necessary
• Cooperating with international regulatory bodies
• Developing regulatory policies and guidelines

The authority’s supervision extends to conduct of business rules, prudential requirements, and organizational standards for regulated entities.

Contact Information

Financial Market Authority Liechtenstein (FMA)
Landstrasse 109
9490 Vaduz
Principality of Liechtenstein

Phone: +423 236 73 73
Fax: +423 236 73 70
Email: [email protected]

Verification of Regulated Entities

To verify whether a financial service provider is authorized by the FMA Liechtenstein:

1. Visit the official FMA website at https://fma-li.li
2. Navigate to the “Supervised Entities” section
3. Search using the company name or registration number
4. Review the authorization status and any regulatory notices

The FMA maintains a public register of all authorized financial service providers under its supervision. For additional verification, stakeholders may contact the FMA directly through official channels.