Here you will find the latest insights, interviews and analyses on asset management, sustainability and developments within the sector. DUFAS provides in-depth information and context on topics that affect our sector. Sign up for our newsletter or follow us on LinkedIn for even more updates!
As DUFAS we welcome the European Commission's proposal to revise the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) as a significant and much-needed step forward for the EU sustainable finance framework. We reiterate our strong support for the SFDR and its core objectives of enhancing transparency, strengthening investor confidence, and supporting the transition to a more sustainable economy. The proposed shift toward a product-focused framework, combined with a simplification of entity-level requirements, marks an important improvement in making the regulation more practical and effective. At the same time, we recommend several targeted improvements to ensure that the revised framework is workable in practice, supports capital allocation to sustainable activities, and enhances comparability for investors. The DUFAS position statement, prepared by our SFDR Expert Group, contains several key recommendations, including:
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On December 14, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published a discussion paper on investor protection and digitalization. We consider it positive that ESMA pays attention to this and responded to it March 14. This consultation response relates in particular to the technique of 'layering' used in an online environment. In addition, we expressed our concerns about the practice of financial influencers (finfluencers), especially in the Dutch context.
From March 11 to 15, it is "Money Week. This week is dedicated to making students in primary, secondary and vocational schools financially aware. For us, financial education is an important focus. After all, with greater financial awareness comes greater financial security.
On Thursday, February 29, the DUFAS Asset Management College Tour took place at Utrecht University. It was a successful edition, during which the CEOs, Karin van Baardwijk of Robeco and Martijn Rozemuller of VanEck, were extensively questioned about their experiences in the asset management sector.
In early December 2023, the European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA and ESMA - together the ESAs) published a consultation on the second batch of policy products under the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). This batch of technical standards includes subcontractors, threat led penetration testing and incident reporting and incident costs. We responded to the consultation on March 4.
In the last week of February, both the DUFAS Asset Management College Tour took place at the VU Amstedam and the University of Utrecht. They were two successful editions where CEOs were extensively questioned about work in the asset management sector.
Late last year, the Ministry of Finance published its long-awaited consultation for the "Financial Sector Climate Measures. We underline the role of the financial sector in the climate and energy transition. This is demonstrated, for example, by entering into the 2019 National Financial Sector Climate Commitment, in which a large number of asset managers have declared their commitment to participate in financing the energy transition and contributing to the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.
As of February 1, 2024, Marlon Jansen joins our team as manager public affairs & communications. DUFAS is pleased to welcome Marlon as a new permanent team member. His knowledge and experience make him a valuable addition to the team. To get to know him better, we asked Marlon a few questions.
As of February 1, 2024, Pepijn Hendrix will strengthen our team as executive secretary. DUFAS is pleased to welcome Pepijn as a new permanent team member. His knowledge and experience make him a valuable addition to the team. To get to know him better, we asked Pepijn a few questions.
"Since signing the Climate Commitment in 2019, the financial sector has taken significant steps to contribute to the energy transition. All signatories now have an action plan. The sector is taking its responsibility to play its role in the transition structurally. For the continuation of the commitment, there is broad consensus among the signatories to shift our focus, with the action plans in hand, to finance the transition in order to increase our impact on making the real economy more sustainable."
A fair amount of sustainability regulation has been poured out over the business community - and especially the financial sector - in recent years. Randy Pattiselanno talks more about that in his latest column on Investment Officer.
The European standard setter for sustainability reporting, European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), writes in its recent consultation on implementation guidance that it intends to draft further guidance on sustainability reporting by financial companies. In response, we write that the European legislator should first provide clarity on the scope of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), particularly with respect to individual asset management. We have previously argued successfully for this with the Dutch legislator.
February 1, 2024 was Leaders in Finance's Sustainable Finance Event. The event featured several speakers who shared their views on a sustainable future for the financial sector. Jeroen van Wijngaarden kicked off the day with an opening speech.
