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AMF Enforcement Committee fines a financial investment advisor and its director for breaches of their professional obligations

AI Analysis

Executive Summary

The AMF Enforcement Committee has issued multiple enforcement decisions against financial investment advisors and their management for breaches of professional obligations, with the most recent and significant case involving Carat GP and its directors receiving combined fines of €2.5 million and permanent/extended bans from operating as financial investment advisors. These cases establish critical precedent regarding advisor duties around client disclosure, product authorization, conflict of interest management, and honest/fair conduct—requirements that apply across the entire financial investment advisory sector. #

What Changed

The enforcement decisions clarify and reinforce several core professional obligations for financial investment advisors: Transparency and Disclosure Obligations Financial investment advisors must inform clients of any remuneration received for their advice and justify improvements to advisory services in return for compensation received. Advisors cannot recommend financial products without first ensuring their marketing is authorized in the relevant jurisdiction. Competence and Care Standards Advisors must conduct business with due competence, care, and diligence in the best interests of clients. This includes conducting necessary checks prior to marketing alternative investment funds (AIFs) and ensuring products are authorized for sale in France before recommending them. Conflict of In

What You Need To Do

  • *Immediate Compliance Review
  • *Governance and Documentation
  • *Training and Culture
  • *Regulatory Engagement

Key Dates

19 December 2023 - AMF Enforcement Committee decision against Séquence 13 and Jean-Louis Lehmann (€15,000 fines each; 5-year ban)
11 April 2022 - AMF Enforcement Committee decision against DCT and Didier Maurin (€150,000 and €200,000 fines; 5-year ban)
9 September 2024 - Conseil d'Etat judgment dismissing appeal by DCT and Didier Maurin
24 October 2022 - AMF Enforcement Committee decision against Salzillo Finance and Jean Salzillo (€20,000 and €80,000 fines; 3-year ban)
2 July 2019 - AMF Enforcement Committee decision against Invest Securities and financial advisors (€90,000 to €60,000 fines)
4 November 2024 - AMF Enforcement Committee decision against Smart Tréso Conseil and related entities (€30,000 to €2,000,000 fines)

Compliance Impact

Urgency: HIGH

Who is Affected

*Direct Impact:Financial investment advisors (FIAs) and their management teamsAsset management companies marketing alternative investment fundsInvestment services providers (ISPs)Depositaries and custodians managing fund assets*Indirect Impact:Compliance and risk management functions within advisory firmsInternal audit departments

Summary

Sanctions & settlements professional obligations Other professionals Journalists AMF Enforcement Committee fines a financial investment advisor and its director for breaches of their professional obligations

Relevant Firm Types

Asset ManagerWealth ManagerBroker Dealer
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