Employment in Financial Services

Contributing Editor

In a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, employers in the financial services sector must ensure they are fully compliant with local employment rules and procedures. Helping to mitigate risk, IEL’s guide provides clear answers to the key issues facing employers in the sector

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09. Is there a particular code of conduct and/or are there other regulations regarding standards of behaviour that financial services employees are expected to adhere to?
 

09. Is there a particular code of conduct and/or are there other regulations regarding standards of behaviour that financial services employees are expected to adhere to?
 

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Netherlands

  • at Lexence

Under Dutch law, financial services companies must maintain integrity and ensure safety, stability and integrity within their company. This also means that financial services companies must prevent their employees from committing criminal offences, other violations of the law or socially inappropriate behaviour that undermines confidence in the financial services sector or financial markets. For these reasons, it is common to implement company-specific codes of conduct.

There are many statutory general regulations and standards of behaviour that financial services employees are expected to adhere to. Moreover, all industries have their own specific industry-wide guidelines and codes of conduct.

An important statutory obligation for directors, (other) policymakers and employees with customer contact is to take an oath or promise before entering into employment. The oath or promise contains a declaration that – among other things – the employee will perform his or her duties with care and integrity, will put customer interests first and will make every effort to maintain and promote confidence in the financial services sector.

In addition to the oath or promise as mentioned above, there is also the “banker's oath”. This oath goes further than the oath or promise mentioned above and is mandatory for all employees who work for banks.

Breaching guidelines, codes of conduct or the statutory oath could lead to disciplinary sanctions being taken by the company itself (such as termination of the employment contract) or by disciplinary supervisors (such as a reprimand or a fine).

Last updated on 16/04/2024