Sweden's Finansinspektionen (FI) announced that it will review during 2025 whether firms offering savings products to consumers comply with conduct rules and prioritise consumers’ best interests, including assessing product suitability before sales or investment advice. The review is framed against recurring cases where consumers are offered products that are not suitable, including higher-risk products than consumers are prepared to take. FI highlighted that it received many consumer complaints in 2024, with derivatives generating the most complaints, particularly contracts for difference (CFDs), and noted concerns about consumers being offered investments in listed alternative investment funds and unlisted shares without understanding the products. FI also indicated it will focus on “value for money” and how firms assess whether costs and remuneration are justified by consumer value, including the management of conflicts of interest so that consumer needs take precedence over seller or adviser compensation.
Finansinspektionen 2025-01-30
Sweden's Finansinspektionen to scrutinise how firms market and sell savings products to consumers in 2025
In 2025, Sweden's Finansinspektionen will review if firms offering savings products comply with conduct rules, focusing on product suitability and "value for money." This follows numerous 2024 consumer complaints, especially about derivatives like CFDs, and concerns about alternative funds and unlisted shares. The assessment will also examine how firms manage conflicts of interest to prioritize consumer needs over compensation.