MyDSI

Institutional Investment Information Provider

DSI Register

The DSI Institutional Investment Information Provider register lists professionals who inform professional investment clients about investment solutions. Investment products like equities, bonds, investment funds and derivatives can be highly complicated. The constant innovations and changes in the field of investment can make them even more complex.

As a professional investment information provider, you must therefore meet certain requirements for professional expertise. A listing in the DSI Institutional Investment Information Provider register shows that the professional meets the requirements stipulated by DSI and ESMA.

What does the Institutional Investment Information Provider register entail?

More information

Which professionals are listed in the register?

More information

Which conditions does DSI place on admission to the register?

More information

Institutional Investment Information Provider

For professionals who inform professional investment clients

What does the register entail?

The DSI Institutional Investment Information Provider register is intended for professionals who inform professional investment clients about investment solutions.

A registered professional must comply with the ESMA guidelines in the areas of knowledge and competency. The AFM considers the successful completion of a DSI-accredited examination to be a suitable qualification, in accordance with the ESMA guidelines. These guidelines serve in part to protect the investor and encourage the sector to work fairly, honestly, transparently and efficiently.

Registered professionals may have one of two statuses: Certified Professional or Candidate Certified Professional. Both must comply with the Code of Conduct drawn up by DSI. The difference is in the level of education or work experience the professional has acquired. A professional can receive the status of candidate certified if they do not meet all of these requirements.

Certified Professionals listed in the DSI Institutional Investment Information Provider register have successfully completed examinations for knowledge and skills. During a 12-month period (fulltime equivalent) over the past five years, they have spent a substantial portion of their time on register-related activities, and have participated in the annual DSI Continuing Professional Education programme.

Who is listed in the register?

The Institutional Investment Information Provider register lists professionals employed in the investment sector in departments such as an exchange order line or investment operations. These professionals provide professional clients with information about the content of investment products and services, and/or process and receive investment orders.

What must a registered professional know?

The knowledge that a professional registered in the Institutional Investment Information Provider register must possess is listed in the DSI qualifications. These qualifications were drawn up by the DSI advisory committees and DSI Accreditation Committee, and are based on the legal requirements stipulated by ESMA a few years ago.

As a professional investment information provider, you must meet the MiFID II requirements for professional expertise. The ESMA Guidelines for Institutional Investment Information Provider are based on these requirements. A professional listed in the DSI Institutional Investment Information Provider register has acquired sufficient knowledge in the following areas:

  • Risks and characteristics of investment products
  • Costs of investment products and services
  • Providing information about investment products and services
  • The operation of financial markets
  • The impact of macro-economic developments on financial markets and assets
  • Recognising market manipulation and combatting money laundering
  • Knowledge about the investment product market structures.
  • Basic valuation methods

Registration conditions

Which conditions does DSI place on admission to the register?

Admission to the register and maintenance of the certification status are subject to a variety of requirements. These requirements vary from admission standards to the obligation of participating in a Continuing Professional Education programme. A list of the various requirements and information about the Continuing Professional Education Programme are provided below.

Admission requirements

  • General admission requirements
    • The employer or client must be a DSI participant;
    • The candidate must complete a registration screening, unless previously screened by AFM/DNB for current position;
    • The candidate must agree to, and abide by the DSI Code of Conduct;
    • The candidate must maintain their level of knowledge of legislation and regulations;
    • Since 2020, DSI-certified investment professionals must participate in an annual programme to maintain their professional expertise: the Continuing Professional Education Programme. For more information, click here.
  • Integrity

    The candidate must have successfully completed the DSI Institutional Information Provider Integrity Program. This program consists of an institutional e-learning module created by the Netherlands Compliance Institute (Integrity module). For more information and registration, click here.

  • Knowledge & Skills

    If you wish to be certified in the Institutional Investment Information Provider register, you can choose from a variety of education institutions that are accredited to administer examinations. These parties also offer educational programmes to help you prepare for the exams. You are free to choose your preferred provider. We recommend that you ask your employer if the organisation has made any collective agreements with the education providers.

    Educational institutions – knowledge

    Deficiency training skills

    Have you already successfully completed the Knowledge component – for example because you are already (candidate) certified in the Advising or Institutional Informing register at DSI – and do you only need to complete Skills? TMoC has the DSI Deficiëntie Beleggen Institutioneel Vaardigheden training available for this.

  • Work experience

    During a 12-month period (fulltime equivalent) over the past five years, the Certified Professional has spent a substantial portion of his/her time on register-related activities, whether in the current position or in previous positions.

  • Certification fees

    You can find the fees for DSI Certification here.

Continuing Professional Education: keeping your DSI Certification up to date

As a DSI (Candidate) Certified Professional listed in the Institutional Investment Information Provider register, you are required to successfully complete the Continuing Professional Education programme each year. You can choose from a variety of education institutions that are accredited to provide the Life-Long Learning programme.

Educational Institutions

Successful completion of the DSI Continuing Professional Education programme indicates that you have met all of the legal requirements for certification. More information about the Continuing Professional Education programme can be found here.

Please note: You are free to choose your preferred provider. We recommend that you ask your employer if the organisation has made any collective agreements with the education providers.

More information

If you have any questions about the Institutional Investment Information Provider register, and cannot find the answers in the FAQ page, please contact one of our DSI associates. We would be happy to help you! You can contact us by e-mail via certificering@dsi.nl or by calling 020-6201274.