Investment banks

Short Reads - Recently, the Dutch bill for the implementation of BRRD II (i.e. Directive (EU) 2014/59 establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms, as amended by Directive (EU) 2019/879) in the Netherlands was submitted to Dutch Parliament, where it is currently under debate.

Articles - Recent efforts by the Dutch government to amend the tax treatment of stock option plans are examined by Charlotte Tolman and Michael Molenaars in this article in Tax Notes International. The proposed changes are welcome, but might not solve all liquidity concerns.

Articles - On 6 July 2021 the European Commission adopted the much-awaited decision C(2021) 4858 final (the “Decision”) which provides, in its annex, very useful answers to the questions raised by the European Supervisory Authorities (i.e. the EBA, ESMA and EIOPA) in their letter dated 7 January 2021 on priority issues relating to the application of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (“SFDR” or “Level 1 requirements”).

Short Reads - The draft temporary bill on Expedited Liquidation Transparency presented by the Dutch Minister of Justice on 28 June 2021 aims to increase transparency, improve protection of creditors and reduce the risk of abuse. We expect that this bill could be in effect indefinitely, as the issues it addresses were pressing long before COVID-19.

Articles - Beleggingsfondsen kunnen beleggers beter informeren over duurzaamheid. De informatieverschaffing van fondsen over duurzaamheidsrisico’s en duurzaamheidskenmerken is nog vaak te algemeen, daardoor krijgen beleggers te weinig inzicht in waar ze in investeren. Dat is een van de conclusies van de Autoriteit Financiële Markten (AFM) in een verkennend onderzoek naar de toepassing van de Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR).

Inside Stibbe - We are pleased to announce that our partner Heleen Kersten has been nominated by Wolters Kluwer for appointment to its Supervisory Board. The nomination will be submitted to the Wolters Kluwer Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on April 21, 2022.

Articles - This article, published in Tax Notes International, examines two recent Dutch proposals, which could have an immediate impact on Dutch and non-Dutch corporate taxpayers and existing national or international structures.

Seminar - The Sustainable Finance Week - organised by Stibbe, KPMG and NVB - will take place across 4 afternoons, starting on Monday 31 May 2021. Through an online conference platform, we will present a variety of live information sessions on the EU Sustainable Finance Action Plan, and provide virtual access to knowledge and networking.