MiFID_II_EN

3 Together, let us make MiFID a success On January 3rd, 2018, the European MiFID II Directive will enter into force. The new rules span thousands of pages. “Why all those questions? Why that much information? Are those documents really necessary?” Those are a few of the many remarks bankers hear when they offer investment advice to their customers. Quite often the answer to those questions is “MiFID”, an abbreviation that raises mixed feelings among many people. There is a concern that MiFID, however well intended, will render the relationship with the customer more business-like and rigid. Financial institutions however, wish to avoid this as much as possible. Financial institutions fully endorse the objectives of the MiFID rules. We truly be- lieve that MiFID II offers an opportunity to improve our investment services and that MiFID II is a good thing for the customer. Both you and your financial institution have every interest in understanding each other when it comes to an investment. This will avoid any misunderstandings. With the help of the financial supervisors, financial institutions have made every effort to comply with the new rules and to be able to offer you a service compliant with the new rules as of January 3rd, 2018. This required considerable efforts and investments to make documents and products compliant, to adjust procedures, to fine-tune IT systems and to train employees. But the customer is well worth these efforts. To make MiFID II a complete success, we also need you. MiFID II can only work if we can count on your help and cooperation. That is why we are happy to explain in this brochure what MiFID II means to you as a customer. Karel Van Eetvelt, CEO Febelfin