DNB to Host Information Session on Fit and Proper Assessments in November 2026

Key Takeaways

• De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) will hold a physical, Dutch-language information session on 5 November 2026 to explain its fit and proper assessment process for board members and key function holders.
• Compliance teams at supervised institutions should encourage affected candidates and HR/legal staff to register by 2 November to gain direct insight into assessment expectations and recent regulatory developments.

Deep Dive

This update is an administrative/educational notice rather than a substantive rule change, but it is relevant for compliance and HR functions responsible for governance and senior management appointments at banks, payment and e-money institutions, investment firms, pension funds, and trust offices supervised by DNB. The session offers a direct opportunity to understand DNB's current approach to assessing suitability (fit and proper) of board members, supervisory directors, and other key function holders, including recent trends in how assessments and interviews are conducted.

Key content includes an overview of DNB's assessment methodology (who, what, when, how), guidance on preparing for assessment interviews, and discussion of recent developments in fit and proper supervision. Attendees can also submit questions in advance via the registration form, which will be addressed during breakout sessions tailored by sector. Notably, the session is Dutch-language only (though English questions are welcome), will not be recorded or livestreamed, and recording devices are prohibited, meaning institutions must plan attendance by relevant personnel directly rather than relying on recordings afterward.

Timeline-wise, registration closes 2 November 2026, with the session itself held 5 November 2026 from 3:00–4:45 PM CET at DNB's offices, with networking afterward. Institutions with upcoming board appointments, succession planning, or candidates currently undergoing DNB assessments should prioritize attendance to stay current on expectations and procedural nuances.

Recommended actions: Compliance and HR teams should identify candidates, board members, or internal legal/advisory staff who would benefit from attending, particularly those involved in upcoming appointments or assessments. Firms should register promptly, submit relevant questions ahead of time, and select the appropriate sector-specific breakout session. Given the no-recording policy, attendees should take thorough notes and brief relevant stakeholders afterward, including senior management and the supervisory board.

Risk-wise, failure to adequately understand DNB's fit and proper expectations could lead to delays or complications in regulatory approval of key appointments, impacting governance continuity and operational risk. While this notice itself carries low direct regulatory risk, it signals DNB's continued supervisory focus on governance quality and suitability testing, reinforcing the importance of robust internal preparation processes for candidates undergoing assessment.

Source: De Nederlandsche Bank