All financial regulatory updates published in February 2023.
Innovation Markets AI enthusiasts, the AMF challenges you
Why this matters
This regulatory update from the AMF (Autorité des Marchés Financiers) in France is focused on innovation and AI in the financial services sector, particularly targeting asset managers, wealth managers, and fintech firms. The key topics covered include technology/cyber, authorization/licensing, and consumer protection.
Innovation Market infrastructures Post-trading infrastructures Market infrastructures on blockchain: Application of the EU DLT Pilot Regime from March 23rd
Why this matters
This regulatory update discusses the application of the EU DLT Pilot Regime, which is relevant for capital markets and crypto/digital asset firms. It covers technology and authorization/licensing topics, so it is of medium urgency for fintechs and crypto exchanges.
Asset management Anti-money Laundering Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism: the AMF applies the guidelines of the European Banking Authority
Why this matters
This regulatory update from the AMF applies guidelines from the European Banking Authority related to anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism, which is relevant for investment managers, banks, and wealth managers.
Asset management Anti-money Laundering Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing: update of the COLB’s National Risk Assessment
Why this matters
This regulatory update from the AMF focuses on the national risk assessment for money laundering and terrorist financing, which is relevant for investment management and wealth management firms that need to comply with AML/CFT requirements.
Sanctions & settlements professional obligations Investment advice Other professionals Journalists The AMF Enforcement Committee fines a financial investment advisor for breaches of its professional obligations
The AMF Enforcement Committee fined financial investment advisor Capexis €120,000 on 15 February 2023 for breaches including receiving prohibited payments from client loan repayments and failing to disclose commissions from SCPI usufruct subscriptions, with the Conseil d'Etat later increasing the fine to €150,000 on 3 March 2025. This enforcement action underscores AMF's strict oversight of **financial investment advisors (Conseillers en Investissements Financiers - CIFs)** on professional obligations like payment restrictions and transparency. It matters for compliance as it highlights personal liability risks and the educational role of such decisions in clarifying regulations.
Urgency: High - This matters due to escalating fines (e.g., €120k to €150k on appeal), permanent/temporary bans in parallel cases, and director liability up to €2m. Recent 2024-2025 enforcements signal AMF's intensified focus on CIF misconduct amid fund scandals, risking reputational damage and operational bans for non-compliant firms. Immediate policy reviews are essential to avoid similar outcomes.
AI-generated analysis. May contain errors or omissions — verify with the original AMF source before acting. Full disclaimer.
EMIR Termination of membership towards Indian central counterparties: a transition period planned for the French credit institutions
Why this matters
This regulatory update is relevant for French credit institutions and their membership towards Indian central counterparties. It involves prudential and authorization requirements, which are of medium importance for the banking sector.
Financial disclosures & corporate financing Financial products Journalists Listed companies and issuers The AMF calls on listed companies to improve investor information regarding the risks incurred in the case of dilutive financing transactions
Why this matters
This regulatory update from the AMF calls on listed companies to improve investor information regarding the risks of dilutive financing transactions, which is relevant for capital markets and listed companies. The focus is on reporting and disclosure requirements.
Asset management Extension of the preparation of a Key Information Document to all collective investments: the AMF updates its policy
Why this matters
This regulatory update from the AMF extends the requirement to prepare a Key Information Document to all collective investments, which impacts asset managers and wealth managers. It relates to consumer protection and disclosure requirements.
Financial products Sustainable Finance Asset management Journalists Investment management companies The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation: the AMF proposes a targeted review to include minimum environmental criteria
Why this matters
This regulatory update from the AMF focuses on the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, which impacts investment management firms, wealth managers, and banks that offer sustainable financial products.
Sustainable Finance Periodic & ongoing disclosures Taxonomy Article 8 reporting: publication of Frequently Asked Questions by the European Commission
Why this matters
This regulatory update is relevant for investment managers and wealth managers as it provides guidance on Article 8 taxonomy reporting, which is a key ESG disclosure requirement. The update is of medium urgency as firms need to prepare for these reporting obligations.
Savings protection Marketing Marketing of financial products to ageing populations: publication of an independent academic research report on customer relations and sales processes
Why this matters
This regulatory update focuses on the marketing of financial products to aging populations, which impacts firms across the banking, investment management, and wealth management sectors. Key topics include consumer protection, operational resilience, and disclosure requirements.
Sanctions & settlements Journalists The AMF Enforcement Committee fines three legal entities and eight individuals for insider dealing breaches and failure to maintain and update insider lists
The AMF Enforcement Committee imposed fines totaling over €3 million on three legal entities and eight individuals in its 30 January 2023 decision for insider dealing in Terreïs shares based on two pieces of inside information, and for Terreïs's failure to maintain and update its insider list. This case matters because it exemplifies AMF's rigorous enforcement of market abuse rules under the Market Abuse Regulation (MAR), highlighting indicators like atypical trading timing, order placement methods, and information transmission channels that trigger sanctions, serving as a deterrent and educational tool for compliance programs.
This enforcement decision does not introduce new regulatory changes or requirements; it applies existing obligations under French market abuse rules aligned with EU MAR (Regulation (EU) No 596/2014). Key reaffirmed requirements include: prohibiting the use, disclosure, or recommendation of inside information for trading; maintaining and regularly updating insider lists with details of persons having access to inside information; and ensuring issuers like Terreïs promptly detect and prevent breaches through robust surveillance.
Urgency: Medium - This 2023 decision reinforces longstanding MAR rules without new mandates, but its detailed analysis of enforcement indicators demands immediate policy reviews to mitigate fines up to €1M+ per breach. It matters for firms handling listed securities, as AMF prioritizes educational enforcement via public decisions, increasing scrutiny on insider lists and trading surveillance amid ongoing cases (e.g., 2024-2025).
AI-generated analysis. May contain errors or omissions — verify with the original AMF source before acting. Full disclaimer.