AFM is the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets, established in 2002 as an independent market conduct regulator. It supervises the financial sector across nine domains: savings, investment, insurance, loans, pensions, capital markets, asset management, accountancy, and financial reporting.
The organisation conducts inspections, enforces compliance through enforcement actions, and actively monitors market signals to inform supervisory activity. AFM also works to transfer regulatory standards and foster consistency across the financial system, operating with an emphasis on discipline, analytical capability, and a progressive mindset.
AFM plays a significant role in European regulatory convergence through collaboration with organisations including ESMA, and contributes to global financial market integrity through participation in IOSCO. Its stated objectives are to promote fair and transparent financial markets, build justified confidence in the financial system, and stimulate innovation within the sector.
