Activities of the AFM

The Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (Autoriteit Financiële Markten - AFM) is the body responsible for regulating behaviour on the financial markets in the Netherlands. In other words, the AFM regulates the behaviour of all parties involved with the savings, loans, investment and insurance markets.

The AFM ensures that financial institutions in the Netherlands treat you correctly and provide you with the proper information about their financial products and services. The AFM monitors all parties' compliance with the relevant legislation and regulations. The AFM also advises the Ministry of Finance when new legislation is being prepared.

In short, the AFM has the following three aims:

   1. making the financial markets more accessible
   2. promoting the smooth operation of the financial markets
   3. promoting confidence in the financial markets.

The public, the business sector and the government all depend on the financial products offered on the various markets for many of their activities. Confidence in the orderly and honest operation of these markets is therefore crucial.