Financial Markets in brief – new regulation and other developments
There have been many developments in national and European financial markets regulation during the past month. We provide a brief overview of these developments, which include developments on recovery and resolution of insurers, the implementation of the IORP II Directive, and potential measures aimed at tightening legislation on executive remuneration.
Recovery and resolution of insurers
In October 2018, the First Chamber’s finance committee sent the Minister of Finance additional questions about the Dutch Bill on Recovery and Resolution of Insurers. In early November 2018, the Minister of Finance responded to these questions. According to the First Chamber’s website, the finance committee will discuss the Minister’s response on 13 November 2018. In addition, Nicole Stolk, Executive Director of Resolution and Internal Operations at the Dutch Central Bank, has given a speech on recovery and resolution of insurers, elaborating on the bill and on the central bank’s role as envisioned in the bill.
Second Directive on Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision
The Second Chamber has adopted a bill implementing the IORP II Directive. In addition, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment has published a consultation report on the draft Decree implementing the IORP Directive.
2018 Financial Markets Amendment Bill
The First Chamber has passed the 2018 Financial Markets Amendment Bill as a formality without a debate. The bill includes the following arrangements:
- A statutory ban on seizing a financial undertaking’s deposits if these are held by the Dutch Central Bank.
- The European Central Bank and the Dutch Central Bank must decide on banking licence applications within 26 weeks. Currently, this is 13 weeks.
- It will be easier for the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) to provide confidential data and information to the Dutch competition authority, the ACM.
- The AFM and the Dutch Central Bank will be allowed to provide confidential information to the Ministry of Justice Agency for Scrutiny, Integrity and Screening.
Guidelines on Certain Aspects of the MiFID II Suitability Requirements
ESMA has published the official translations of the Guidelines on Certain Aspects of the MiFID II Suitability Requirements. Competent authorities must inform ESMA within two months (by 6 January 2019) whether they comply or intend to comply with the guidelines. The Guidelines apply as of 7 March 2019.
