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Conflict of interest policy

Summary of the main elements of the conflict of interest policy of NN Belgium.

Article 1 - Objective

NN Belgium must take those measures which are required to perform its activities in an honest and fair way and in accordance with the interests of its Clients. One of the ways to achieve this objective is to be continually attentive to any conflicts of interest which could hamper the optimal provision of services. Pursuant to Belgian law, NN Belgium is obliged to take all the required and administrative measures to identify, prevent and manage conflicts of interest. Below you will find a summary of the conflict of interest policy of NN Belgium as well as the information required to educate the Client on what measures are being taken by NN Belgium to offer maximum protection to the interests of their Clients.

Article 2 - What is a conflict of interest?

A conflict of interest is a conflict that occurs when the interests of two or more persons or entities are incompatible with one another and could lead to detrimental consequences for the Client.

Possible conflicts of interest can also arise due to the interaction of the various responsibilities taken on by  NN Belgium  (insurer,  distributor,  claims  manager,  subsidiary  of  NN Group, etc.).

This type of conflict could arise, for example, between any of the following parties:

  • Client(s);
  • NN Insurance Belgium (insurer);
  • NN Insurance Services Belgium (insurer, distributor and claims manager);
  • employee(s) of NN Belgium;
  • NN Group;
  • unaffiliated intermediaries.
  • Tied agents of NN Insurance Belgium and their employees

Article 3 - Potential conflicts of interest, including a few examples

The management team of NN Belgium has identified potential conflicts of interest or sources of conflicts that could harm the interests of the Client(s) and included them in a conflict of interest register. This register will be updated further to changes within departments or to include incidents as they occur.

The following is a (non-exhaustive) list of examples in which a conflict of interest could arise:

  • Representatives of NN Belgium could use confidential information obtained from one Client to the detriment of another Client and/or for the benefit of a few select Clients.
  • When administrative staff, managers of NN Belgium and/or tied agents of NN Insurance Belgium and their employees receive gifts (including  non-monetary  gifts)  which  in  turn  influence  their  behaviour  (i.e.  the  granting  of preferential treatment to one or more Clients and/or group(s) of Clients).
  • Receiving an inducement in the form of cash, goods or services from someone other than the Client for a service performed for the Client which differs from the fee or payment usually provided for this service.
  • Offering products through distribution partners to clients because the profit margin to society can be greater than the margin on other products regardless of whether they match the client's needs and desires, risk appetite and sustainability preferences.

Article 4 - What measures is NN Belgium taking to prevent conflicts of interest?

NN Belgium has taken the measures which are necessary to manage each of the conflicts identified and to prevent the potential negative consequences of these conflicts from affecting their Clients. These measures are specifically tailored to address the type of problems that might occur.

For each individual conflict of interest, one or (if necessary) more of the following solutions are offered:

1. Internal policy/procedures concerning conflicts of interest

An internal policy intended for employees as well as procedures required for resolving conflicts of interest have been implemented within NN Belgium.

2. Protection of the confidentiality of data

The employment regulations of NN Belgium prohibit all employees from abusing their positions when intervening in matters which concern - either directly or indirectly - their own interests or those of their relatives.

Organisational measures have been taken by NN Belgium in order to ensure the confidential handling of sensitive information. These measures provide for the physically separate handling of information (also known as ‘Chinese Walls’).

3. Disclosure of conflicts of interest

If it appears that the measures taken are inadequate to protect the interests of a Client with a reasonable degree of certainty, this Client shall be provided with explicit and detailed information regarding the general nature or cause of these conflicts of interest so that it is able to make a well-informed decision.

4. Explicit agreement of the Client

If NN Belgium enters into a verbal agreement with the Client regarding the settlement of a possible conflict of interest, they will keep a record of this agreement.

5. Maintaining a conflict of interest register

Conflicts of interest that have actually arisen and which pose a real risk of harming the interests of one or more Clients are listed in a conflict of interest register and communicated to the Client in question. The required changes will be made to procedures in order to improve the management of the risk.

Article 6 - Inducements received by NN Belgium

Branch 23 Investment-linked insurance

Retrocessions

For the commercialization of savings and investment insurance products, NN Insurance Belgium SA/NV receives retrocessions (ranging from 0% to 90%) on management costs from the fund managers concerned. Investors will find the percentage of the management fee for each sub-fund in the prospectus for the Branch 23 fund (full or summary prospectus). The retrocessions received by NN Insurance Belgium SA/NV correspond to a percentage of the management fee as agreed upon with the fund manager concerned, multiplied by the total average assets held in the fund for the relevant period by clients of NN Insurance Belgium SA/NV.

NN Insurance Belgium SA/NV receives this retrocession because the service offered to the client does not end after the sale of a Branch 23 fund: NN Insurance Belgium SA/NV continues to provide the client with product information for the entire life of a Branch 23 fund. These services can include:

  • information on, and the calculation of, the net asset value and the progress thereof;
  • updating the information of the funds offered for sale;
  • tracking information on corporate actions (dividend payments, mergers, etc.);
  • drawing up an economic scenario;
  • internal risk analysis of the Branch 23 fund;
  • drawing up half-yearly management reports;
  • publishing information on the internet linked to the savings and investment insurance products and Branch 23 funds ;

Article 7 - Inducements paid by NN Belgium

NN Belgium reimburses its intermediaries for the distribution of its products. NN Belgium can also reimburse part of the marketing costs made by the intermediaries. Specific conditions and the limitation to certain thresholds always apply and are stipulated in an agreement. If NN Belgium judges that the risk of conflict of interest risk between one or more customers and the distribution channels is too high, NN Belgium can refrain from doing business with this intermediary to protect the interests of the Client. Clients wishing to obtain further information on the inducements paid by NN Belgium can contact their insurance intermediary.

Article 8 - Additional information

Clients  wishing  to obtain  additional  information on  the  Conflict  of  Interest  policy can  contact  their insurance  intermediary  and  request  the  detailed  Policy  of  NN Belgium concerning the prevention/management of conflicts of interest with Clients.

Addidtional information will be provided to the client at their first request.

The client who has subscribed to his insurance policy through a NN bank partner can contact Customer Service - Telecel NN Belgium - tel.: +32 2 407 7000.

The client who has subscribed to his insurance policy through a broker can contact Customer Service - Contact Center - tel.: +32 2 650 78 20.

What is understood  by...?

  • NN Belgium: NN Insurance Belgium NV/SA & NN Insurance Services Belgium NV/SA
  • NN Insurance Belgium: NN Insurance Belgium NV/SA
  • NN Insurance Services Belgium : NN Insurance Services Belgium NV/SA