The FMA was launched on 1 Jan 2005 as an independent, integrated financial market supervisory authority.

In 2008 a former data entry clerk at LGT Group, a trust regulated by the FMA, stole data from the bank and sold it to tax authorities in other countries, sparking the 2008 Liechtenstein tax affair which threatened Liechtenstein's financial sector.

The FMA had significant involvement in the investigation of the incident as well as working with the government to minimise the damage caused to the whole financial sector.

It also noted that the Government and Parliament have expressly committed themselves to an independent and strong Financial Market Authority.

[2]" The FMA is responsible for safeguarding the stability of the financial market, protection of clients, prevention of abuse, and the implementation of and compliance with recognized international standards.