Week of Integrity Posted on December 6, 2023 at 9:57 am.Written by Roeland Jongejan As a proud partner of the Week of Integrity, taking place from December 1 to 9, we emphasize the power of ethical behavior in the financial sector. DSI has undertaken various initiatives to highlight integrity in this sector. At DSI, integrity goes beyond being a core value; it is the guiding principle for our mission. We believe in a financial world where ethics and professionalism go hand in hand. DSI has taken various initiatives to bring attention to ethical behavior in the financial sector. This includes incorporating the Integrity Module e-learning into all our certifications and forming various collaborations with partners in the sector. DSI Activities in the Week of Integrity EY and DSI host a roundtable on greenwashing: EY and DSI organized roundtable discussions on Greenwashing. Insights will be shared in an informative whitepaper available to the sector. ➜ more information Stakeholder event on integrity and inclusion: Rabobank, KPMG, and DSI organized a stakeholder arena on integrity and inclusion. Perspectives from various sectors were discussed based on statements and questions. ➜ more information Devil’s dilemmas of investment professionals: Watch our live webinar on the devil’s dilemmas of investment professionals. Discover the learning outcomes and practical applications of statements discussed during the DSI Disciplinary Committee. ➜ more information What is the Week of Integrity? The annual event, held in December, is a crucial multi-stakeholder initiative. It promotes knowledge sharing and stimulates discussions about integrity in workplaces and boardrooms, regardless of the type of organization. What can employees, officials, and managers expect? And what responsibility do politicians bear, both nationally and internationally, for companies with international interests? The commitment extends beyond just one week in December; on the contrary, the organization aims to unite people throughout the year in their dedication to integrity. Every day, efforts are made to make integrity an integral part of the behavior of individuals, organizations, and businesses. The Week of Integrity highlights the power of ethical behavior in the financial sector. Explore DSI’s initiatives.
Overview of DSI Participants Posted on December 5, 2023 at 1:36 pm.Written by Roeland Jongejan At DSI, we firmly believe in the power of collaboration to enhance the reliability of the financial sector. Our DSI Participants form the backbone of this collaboration and play a crucial role in strengthening integrity and professionalism in the industry. We want to provide more insight into who our DSI Participants are and why participating in DSI is essential. Overview of DSI Participants For a complete overview of our over 300 DSI participants, you can visit our DSI Participants page. Who Are the Participants? Our DSI Participants are companies and organizations in the financial sector dedicated to the highest standards of competence and integrity in their field. This includes a wide range of institutions, from financial service providers and banks to asset managers and investment firms. While each participant is unique, they all share a common goal: to increase the reliability of the financial sector. The importance of participants for DSI Participants are invaluable in promoting transparency and trust in the financial world. By joining DSI, participants demonstrate their commitment to the highest ethical standards and the competence of their employees. This contributes to enhancing the reputation of the entire sector and the reliability of professionals working within it. Benefits of DSI Membership As an organization participating in DSI, you enjoy various benefits, including: Trust and Recognition: Involvement with DSI emphasizes a participating organization’s commitment to integrity and professionalism, building trust with customers and stakeholders. Expertise and Support: DSI provides support and resources to help organizations maintain the highest standards in the industry, including certifications, the Continuing Professional Education program, the DSI Public Register, the code of conduct, and accredited training providers. Networking Opportunities: Participating organizations gain access to an extensive network of like-minded professionals and organizations, offering valuable opportunities for collaboration and growth. Efficient Oversight Tools: Through our dedicated employer portal, employers can access necessary figures and data for internal and external use at any time. This allows them to manage the real-time status of employee certifications. How can an organization become a participant at DSI? The process of becoming a participant at DSI is simple and accessible. If a company holds an AFM license, the organization can join DSI and become a participant. Registration can be done through this registration page. For more information on registration, interested organizations can also contact Nana Asante, Relationship Manager at DSI, via the contact form on our website.
DSI and EY are hosting a roundtable on greenwashing | Part II Posted on October 4, 2023 at 10:29 am.Written by Roeland Jongejan Challenges in Marketing and Communication In 2023, DSI and EY are joining forces to organize a series of exclusive roundtable meetings focused on the timely topic of greenwashing and how the financial sector is addressing it. Our goal is to facilitate a constructive dialogue among policymakers from various sectors, discussing recent developments and their impact on investment practices. Defining greenwashing: compliance and legal aspects Our first meeting, held in June, focused on the compliance and legal aspects of greenwashing. Participants in this session extensively discussed the current definition of greenwashing and how different organizations interpret this concept. A key talking point was an article published by ESMA on June 1st, exploring the definition of greenwashing through various articles. Marketing and communication challenges In our second meeting on September 13th, a new group of specialists discussed the marketing and communication challenges associated with greenwashing. The session began with an introduction and the establishment of objectives. We then engaged in open discussions on various topics. We started by critically examining the current definition of greenwashing and reflecting on its interpretation by participating organizations. Next, we focused on how an excessive emphasis on commercial incentives can lead to greenwashing. We explored why greenwashing exists in the first place and how organizations and professionals can become involved in this phenomenon. We also discussed the challenges this presents for marketing professionals in carrying out their work. Moral and ethical considerations in the financial sector Moral and ethical considerations related to greenwashing were extensively discussed. We examined the differences in ethical perspectives on ESG between investors and institutions offering investment products. We pondered why there is a difference in understanding and whether the financial sector itself should establish concrete frameworks to provide clarity and maintain trust. Effective communication of ESG performance Another important point of discussion was how to effectively communicate a company’s ESG performance. We had extensive discussions on how this can be done transparently and accurately. Participants shared numerous practical examples where ESG performance was honestly and clearly communicated to investors. The final part of the meeting focused on creating awareness within organizations about greenwashing. We discussed how to ensure that this topic is on the agenda at all levels of an organization. Attendees shared valuable best practices. Upcoming session: greenwashing from an investment perspective It’s important to note that there will be one more session on Greenwashing in October, this time from an investment perspective, with investment specialists. The findings and insights from these three meetings will be compiled into an informative whitepaper to be shared on our website. Contact Information For more information about these inspiring meetings, please contact Floris Mreijen, the director, and/or Mark van der Lecq, the lead legal at DSI.
Renewed and modernized integrity e-learning Posted on October 3, 2023 at 2:40 pm.Written by Roeland Jongejan Together with the Dutch Compliance Institute (NCI), DSI has completely revamped the ‘Integrity’ e-learning. This modernized e-learning is designed to raise awareness among financial professionals about the importance of acting with integrity in their daily practice. It is mandatory for anyone seeking certification within one of the DSI registers. You can enroll in the e-learning starting today through the Dutch Compliance Institute website. Renewed and modernized integrity e-learning ready for use The e-learning has undergone a thorough makeover. Not only has the content and structure been revised, but all learning objectives have also been meticulously reviewed by NCI in collaboration with members of the DSI Integrity Advisory Committee. During the development, committee members also shared their insights. The result? A completely revised and modernized ‘DSI-Integrity’ e-learning, available for use starting today. Sign up here for the Integrity E-learning Efficient E-Learning: Shorter Duration and Focus on Relevance In addition to changes in structure, we have also considered the time factor for participants. We have critically evaluated the relevance of topics and the length of texts, resulting in a shorter duration for completing the e-learning. Important to note: the new e-learning is applicable to all professionals, regardless of their role or responsibilities. Integrity is crucial for every professional, and this is highlighted through examples from various work environments. Upon completing the e-learning, there will be an assessment that needs to be passed with a satisfactory grade. Workshop as an Additional Requirement for Certain Professionals For some professionals in DSI’s ESMA and Specialists Registers, an additional requirement applies: in addition to the e-learning, they must also successfully complete the DSI Integrity Workshop. This workshop is conducted by the Dutch Compliance Institute in collaboration with Nyenrode Business University. It primarily focuses on applying integrity and critical judgment in practice. How can I enroll in the e-learning and/or the workshop? If you wish to enroll in the e-learning and/or the workshop, you can do so through the Dutch Compliance Institute website: www.compliance-instituut.nl. For more information about the Integrity E-Learning, you can also contact the Dutch Compliance Institute at 088-9988100 or DSI at 020-6201274.