On 14 July 2017, the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (Autoriteit Financiële Markten, the AFM) issued a press release in which it points out an increase in advertisements that present investing as an alternative to saving.

The AFM wants parties who offer investment products to be clear around the differences between investing and saving. According to the AFM, such advertisements currently do not always (clearly) explain the difference between saving products and investment products. The risks that are linked to investment products should be emphasised and the information provided in advertisements must be correct and clear. Comparative advertisements should not mislead consumers and the information should be presented in an understandable, detectable and balanced manner. The AFM emphasises that the use of misleading advertisements may result in sanctions.

View the AFM’s press release (Dutch only), 14 July 2017.