FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Funds
What is an Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM)?
An Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) is a regulated management company under the AIFMD (Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive) to manage Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).
AIFMs are responsible for key functions such as risk management, portfolio management, regulatory reporting and compliance, all designed to protect investor interests and ensure legal conformity.
Super Global operates as a AIFM in Germany and provides fully compliant fund structuring and management services for institutional investors, family offices and fund initiators.
What is an investment fund?
An investment fund is a collective investment vehicle that pools capital from multiple investors to be professionally managed across a diversified range of asset classes, including equities, bonds, real estate, private equity and alternative investments.
Funds offer:
- Diversification through broad diversification
- Professional management by regulated fund managers
- Access to markets and strategies that are difficult for individual investors to access directly
What are the advantages of Germany as a fund domicile?
Germany is one of Europe’s leading fund domiciles and offers an excellent framework for Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs):
- Regulation by BaFin, ensuring the highest standards of supervision and investor protection
- A stable legal system with clear statutory frameworks (KAGB, AIFMD)
- Tax transparency for institutional investors
- EU-wide distribution rights for German funds
- Experienced service provider ecosystem (depositaries, auditors, FinTech partners)
What is a German special fund (Spezialfonds)?
A German special fund is an investment fund specifically designed for institutional or semi-institutional investors. Typical investors include family offices, insurance companies, pension schemes, foundations, corporates and asset managers.
German special funds offer:
- a high degree of flexibility in investment strategy and asset allocation
- potential tax advantages based on the transparency principle
- regulatory certainty under the German Investment Code (KAGB) and supervision by BaFin
- customised reporting standards
Which assets can be held in German special funds?
German special funds can invest in a broad range of liquid and illiquid assets, including:
- equities, bonds and ETFs
- real estate (direct and indirect)
- infrastructure projects and renewable energy
- private equity and venture capital
- private debt and structured credit
- hedge funds and alternative investments
What obligations does an AIFM have under the AIFMD?
The AIFMD imposes strict requirements on Alternative Investment Fund Managers, including:
- risk management systems to assess and control market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk
- compliance and regulatory reporting to supervisory authorities (BaFin, CSSF etc.)
- remuneration policies aligned with investor protection principles
- the appointment of a depositary and transparency towards investors
These requirements establish harmonised standards across the EU and strengthen institutional investors’ confidence.
What role does digitalisation play in fund management?
Digitalisation has significantly enhanced the efficiency, scalability and transparency of Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFMs).
With fintech platforms such as those provided by Super Global, fund structures can be highly automated, including:
- digital fund launches
- automated NAV calculation
- dashboard-based reporting
- real-time regulatory monitoring
This results in a modern, scalable fund management model that reduces time, costs and operational risk.
What advantages does Super Global offer as an AIFM service provider?
Super Global combines regulatory expertise with technological innovation. As a BaFin-regulated AIFM based in Germany, it offers:
- tailored fund structuring
- integrated AIFM and fund management services
- securitisation and digitalisation services via our fintech platforms
- efficient lifecycle management for funds and compartments
We are your partner for structured, digital fund management with regulatory certainty.
What does AIFM management cost?
The cost of managing a fund depends on factors such as the fund’s volume, asset class, structural complexity and specific investor requirements.
Thanks to a high degree of automation, Super Global as a fintech-driven AIFM is able to offer highly competitive conditions. Transparent, modular pricing models cover all relevant areas, from fund set-up and ongoing management through to regulatory reporting, and can be precisely tailored to the requirements of each individual structure.
Securitisation
What is securitisation?
Securitisation refers to the process by which assets such as receivables, real estate, equities or digital assets are transformed into tradable securities. These securities are backed by the underlying assets and provide investors with structured access to alternative asset classes.
Through the securitisation process, assets become bankable, tradable and professionally structured. This is particularly attractive for institutional investors, asset managers and investment platforms.
What are Actively Managed Certificates (AMCs)?
Actively managed certificates (AMCs) are structured financial products in which an investment manager actively manages the underlying assets. They enable dynamic investment strategies, for example in equities, cryptocurrencies or private debt, and are often implemented as compartments within a Luxembourg securitisation vehicle.
Although AMCs are legally structured as compartments, the term “AMC” has become established in market practice.
What is a Luxembourg securitisation vehicle?
A Luxembourg securitisation vehicle (SV) is a legally independent structure established under the Luxembourg Securitisation Law of 2004. It is used to issue securities that are backed by real or financial assets.
The Luxembourg model is characterised by a high degree of regulatory flexibility, strong investor protection, tax efficiency and the ability to structure individual transactions within separate compartments.
How long does the process of securitisation with Super Global take?
Thanks to its technology-driven fintech platform and clearly defined processes, Super Global is able to deliver securitisation solutions efficiently while remaining fully bespoke. Depending on the complexity of the transaction, structuring can typically be completed within a few weeks, from legal set-up through to issuance.
What are Credit Linked Notes (CLNs)?
Credit Linked Notes (CLNs) are structured debt instruments in which an investment manager actively manages the underlying assets, such as equities, cryptocurrencies, private debt or other alternative asset classes. They enable dynamic, credit-linked investment strategies while offering a defined payout structure.
CLNs are typically issued via securitised compartments in Luxembourg or through Section 110 vehicles in Ireland. Both jurisdictions offer legally segregated structures, regulatory stability and a tax-efficient issuance environment.
What is an Irish securitisation?
An Irish securitisation typically refers to the use of a Section 110 company, which is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) incorporated under Irish company law and qualifying for tax purposes under Section 110 of the Irish Taxes Consolidation Act.
Such companies are commonly used in structured finance transactions to hold qualifying assets and to issue financial instruments to professional investors.
What are Irish securitisations used for?
Irish securitisations are typically used for structured finance transactions, including:
- asset-backed notes and certificates
- private credit and alternative debt strategies
- portfolio and cash flow financing structures
- capital markets-oriented structures that sit outside traditional fund frameworks
Due to their flexible structure, Irish securitisations enable tailored financing solutions for institutional investors and complex capital markets strategies.
Which assets can be held in an Irish securitisation?
Within an Irish securitisation, so-called “qualifying assets” may be held. These typically include:
- loans and receivables
- financial instruments and securities
- contract-based cash flow assets
- leasing structures and receivables financing
- derivatives and structured claims
- other legally defined assets with clearly identifiable payment streams
The statutory framework under Section 110 is deliberately broad, allowing a high degree of flexibility in the selection and management of eligible assets.
Can real assets be structured?
Yes. Within an Irish securitisation, real assets are generally held and structured indirectly, typically via:
- financing instruments
- receivables
- debt claims
- cash flow-based contracts
In this context, the Irish securitisation does not necessarily hold the physical asset itself, but rather structures its economic returns or payment streams. This indirect structuring approach enables the efficient and flexible use of real assets within complex financing models.
Can digital or innovative assets also be structured?
In principle, yes. A wide range of assets can be structured, provided certain conditions are met:
- the assets are clearly defined and identifiable
- legally enforceable payment or return mechanisms exist
- tax and regulatory requirements are complied with
The specific structuring is always assessed on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature of the assets, the transaction structure and the applicable legal framework.
Is a Section 110 company an investment fund?
No. A Section 110 company is not an investment fund within the meaning of the UCITS or AIF directives, but rather a structured special purpose vehicle (SPV) established under Irish law.
In contrast to regulated funds, a Section 110 company is characterised by the following features:
- no application of fund regulation (neither UCITS nor AIFMD)
- no automatic requirement to appoint an AIFM (Alternative Investment Fund Manager)
- issuance of debt instruments rather than the issuance of fund units
- a focus on structured payment streams derived from clearly defined assets
Is an Irish securitisation (Section 110 company) regulated?
A Section 110 company is not regulated as an investment fund and therefore does not fall under the UCITS or AIFMD regimes. Nevertheless, it is subject to various legal and regulatory frameworks, in particular:
- Irish company law and tax law
- specific reporting obligations and substance requirements
- where applicable, capital markets regulations, for example in connection with securities issuances or stock exchange listings
There is no direct fund supervision. However, certain regulatory aspects may be indirectly captured or overseen by the Central Bank of Ireland, particularly in the context of structured capital markets transactions.
Why choose Ireland as a location for securitisation?
Ireland is one of the leading jurisdictions for structured finance transactions and the establishment of special purpose vehicles (Section 110 companies). The jurisdiction stands out due to:
- a well-established and internationally recognised legal framework in an English-speaking environment
- a high level of legal certainty for complex financial transactions and securitisations
- tax-efficient and transparent structuring conditions
- a strong ecosystem of service providers, including specialised law firms, tax advisers and corporate service providers
- broad acceptance among international institutional investors
These factors make Ireland a preferred jurisdiction for structured products, private credit strategies, asset-based financing and capital markets structures.
How does an Irish structure protect investors?
Investor protection primarily arises from the structural and contractual design rather than from fund regulatory requirements. Key protection mechanisms include:
- clearly segregated special purpose vehicles (SPVs)
- contractually defined payment flows and priority structures, for example in the event of defaults
- legal segregation of assets from the originator or sponsor
- the involvement of independent trustees, administrators and other service providers
These elements provide investors with transparent, legally robust structures offering a high degree of control and protection, particularly in the context of complex structured financing transactions.
How long does structuring of an Irish securitisation take?
The duration of the structuring process depends on the complexity of the transaction and the selected structural elements. As a general rule:
- straightforward set-ups can be implemented at short notice, typically within a few weeks
- more complex structures or capital markets-oriented transactions generally require several weeks
Compared with regulated fund structures, the implementation of an Irish securitisation is often significantly faster and more efficient, making it particularly attractive for structured financing solutions and bespoke capital markets models.
Which investors is securitisation suitable for?
Securitisation is specifically designed for non-public, professional investor groups. Typical target investors include:
- institutional investors, for example pension schemes and insurance companies
- professional investors within the meaning of the MiFID directive
- family offices with complex investment structures
- asset managers, investment funds and other financial institutions
The Section 110 structure is particularly suitable for investors seeking access to structured financing solutions, securitised assets or bespoke capital markets products outside the scope of traditional fund regulation.
What is the difference between a Luxembourg securitisation and an Irish securitisation?
Luxembourg compartments and Section 110 companies in Ireland are both commonly used vehicles for structured finance transactions. However, they differ significantly in their legal form, tax treatment and operational structure.
1. Legal form
- Luxembourg: a compartment is not a separate legal entity, but a segregated part of a Luxembourg company.
- Ireland: a Section 110 structure is based on a separate Irish corporate entity in the form of a special purpose vehicle (SPV).
2. Asset segregation (ring-fencing)
- Luxembourg: statutory segregation of assets and liabilities applies at the level of each compartment.
- Ireland: strict segregation is achieved through the establishment of separate SPVs for each transaction.
3. Tax structuring
- Luxembourg: tax neutrality is typically achieved through deductible interest or profit participation payments at the company level.
- Ireland: near tax neutrality is achieved through the deduction of interest on structured instruments, such as profit participating notes (PPNs).
4. Structural and cost efficiency
- Luxembourg: higher efficiency for multi-issuance programmes, as multiple transactions can be implemented within a single company using individual compartments.
- Ireland: typically one SPV per transaction, which can lead to higher initial costs when executing multiple transactions.
5. Legal and market environment
- Luxembourg: a civil law system, often preferred for EU-centric structures.
- Ireland: a common law system, well established for international securitisations, particularly in UK and US market contexts.