On 13 June 2018, the Dutch Minister of Finance (Minister) sent a letter to the Dutch Parliament (Tweede Kamer) regarding the implementation of a motion that aims to organise the objection procedure (bezwaarprocedure) in the context of integrity and suitability screenings carried out by Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (Autoriteit Financiële Markten, AFM) and the Dutch Central Bank (De Nederlandsche Bank, DNB) in a more independent manner.

According to the letter, the AFM and DNB will be introducing additional external elements into the integrity and suitability screening procedures, which implement this motion. In addition to introducing an independent chairperson of the hearing committee in the objection phase, the AFM and DNB will also:

• engage and fully involve external experts for the most complex screenings. Screenings that take place ‘on paper’ (i.e. regular integrity and/or suitability screenings) will be examined by external experts on a sample basis. External experts will also be asked to assist in improving the screening process; and
• appoint an external confidential advisor, which can be used as a point of contact for individuals during the screening process.

View the Minister’s Letter (Dutch only), 13 June 2018.