We are licensed as an investment firm by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). This means, among other things, that our business operations, the integrity and professional competence of our managers, and the financial situation of our company meets the requirements as set by MiFID II and the Financial Supervision Act. Our services also comply with ESG legislation. It goes without saying that Ilfa, as a licensee, constantly stays on top of things and ensures its organisation to meets and continue to meet all requirements.
Ilfa supports companies and institutions with the design and implementation of their treasury tasks. Part of this is hedging for the client currency and interest risks arising from normal business operations. Financial instruments such as FX and/or interest rate derivatives can be used to hedge these financial risks. Ilfa only supports her clients in this process if the instruments (including derivatives) are used defensively. Ilfa does not support parties who want to enter into transactions in financial instruments with the sole purpose of making a profit.
FX and interest rate derivatives as an instrument have no favourable or unfavourable effects in terms of sustainability. The contracting party of these instruments can include sustainability to a greater or lesser extent in their business operations in the short or medium term. This makes a contracting party more or less suitable as a counterparty if our client also wants to organise its treasury activities in a sustainable way (indirect sustainability risk). In addition, the creditworthiness of the counterparty may decrease if the contracting party does not comply with applicable laws and regulations, including SFDR. Ilfa actively draws its clients' attention to this indirect sustainability risk when entering into or revising the relationship, in addition to the more regular financial risks, and will monitor sustainability based on recognised ESG ratings, if the client includes this in our mandate.
All Ilfa team members, whether or not on an hourly basis, receive a fixed fee. Achieving investment results, sustainable or not, is irrelevant to remuneration. Bonuses only occur in exceptional situations or company results, and the whole team benefits. After all, success is achieved with everybody working together.