Your knowledge and experience of investing

Complex investment products are investment products that are derived from other investment products, combinations of different investment products or investment products with deviating conditions. Examples are options, structured products, complex bonds, hedge funds and complex investment funds.

Complex investment products have special characteristics and entail additional risks. It is important that you understand how they work and the risks involved. That is why we test your knowledge of these complex investment products through an exam.

Non-complex investment products include most shares, bonds, investment funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs). These are standard investment products with standard characteristics and standard risks. For this it is sufficient that you inform us how much experience you have with these investment products and whether you know the product. We do not test your knowledge of these products through an exam.

Complex investment products have special characteristics and entail additional risks.
It is important that you understand how they work and the risks involved. We test this through a knowledge exam.

Have you passed the knowledge exam for a complex investment product? Then you can place your order for it. Not passed the knowledge exam yet? Then you will see the following message with your order: “You have not passed the knowledge exam yet. To be able to invest in this investment product, you must first pass the knowledge exam. Test your knowledge here”.

Developments in the financial markets can move quickly. We adjust the knowledge exams accordingly. As a result, it can sometimes happen that you have already taken a knowledge exam and subsequently have to retake it.

• If you have not completed the knowledge and experience questionnaire or if you have stated that you do not have a lot of knowledge and experience, you will receive a warning.
• You have answered the questions and have passed the knowledge exam on your own account, but you want to place your order for another account for which you have not yet passed the exam. For example, for an account that you jointly hold with other people. As a result, you must also take the knowledge exam for that other account (this applies until 1 November 2026, see ‘What is changing from 1 November 2026’?).
• You want to place an order for a different complex investment product than the one you passed the exam in. For example, an investment product that resembles a special bond, but falls into the category of structured products because of one or more characteristics.
• You have passed your knowledge exam, but the investment product is not part of the range for the type of investment form you have chosen.

We test your knowledge and experience on the basis of the orders that you place through Internet Banking or the ABN AMRO app. Are you investing with our advice? In that case, we also test on the basis of orders placed by your investment advisor.

From 1 November 2026, the way in which knowledge and experience are recorded and tested will change. We are updating the General Investment Conditions as of that date. From then on, knowledge and experience will no longer be linked to a card or an account, but to a person. This new way of recording and testing investment knowledge will apply from that moment.

From 23 June, you will have received a letter or bank message about this, if it applies to you. If you have authorised someone on your account and that person places orders, they must also record their knowledge and experience in their personal account to continue placing orders.

Do you place orders independently for a joint investment account? Or for an account you manage for someone else? From 1 November 2026, we will assess the knowledge and experience of the person placing the order. This will no longer be linked to a card or account, but to you personally.

From 1 November 2026, every order will be assessed based on the knowledge and experience of the person placing it. Do several people use the same account, for example a joint account or in roles such as legal representative, administrator, director or authorised person? Then each person who wants to place orders must complete the “Knowledge and experience” questionnaire in Internet Banking.

Good to know: you only need to do this once. Your knowledge and experience are personal and will immediately apply to all investment accounts for which you are authorised to place orders.

Want to continue placing orders? Log in via Internet Banking or the ABN AMRO app. Check whether you have completed the “Knowledge and experience” questionnaire on your personal account and whether your answers are still up to date. If not, update them before placing an order.

Do you invest in complex products, such as options, via Self‑directed Investing Plus, Execution Only Desk or Investment Advisory? These involve additional risks. Before 1 November 2026, go to Internet Banking or the ABN AMRO app to check your knowledge exams. Only complete exams for the complex products you want to invest in. If you see a green tick next to a product, it means you have sufficient knowledge to invest in it.

If we have been able to confirm that previously recorded knowledge and experience belong to you, we will transfer these details to your personal account on 1 November.

If we can confirm that you have already passed an exam, you do not need to retake it. In some cases, however, we cannot determine this. You may then be asked to take the exam again, even if you have done so before.

Not everyone on an account may have the same level of knowledge and experience. This could lead to situations where someone buys investment products that do not match the knowledge and experience of others. Would you prefer to avoid this? Then consider opening a separate investment account for each person.

How can I learn more about investing?

You can find more information about:

• Investment products
• Investing and sustainability
• Investing for beginners

We also offer a wide range of knowledge articles.

Yes. You only need to pass the exams once on your personal account. They will then apply to all your (joint) accounts and authorisations.

If you are authorised to place orders for a minor’s investment account, you can only do so from 1 November 2026 using your personal card or the ABN AMRO app. Make sure your knowledge and experience are recorded on your personal account. If this has already been done, no further action is needed.

Minors are legally protected. As a legal representative, you must therefore handle their assets with care. You need sufficient knowledge and experience of investing, products and risks. Investing without this knowledge can lead to significant losses. Minors themselves do not have the required knowledge and are not allowed to invest independently.

From 1 November 2026, orders for assets under administration can only be placed using the administrator’s personal card or the ABN AMRO app. Make sure your knowledge and experience are recorded on your personal account. If this has already been done, no further action is needed.

It is important to have sufficient knowledge and experience when placing orders. As an administrator, you must invest responsibly and avoid taking excessive risks. Investing without the necessary knowledge can result in significant losses.

At ABN AMRO, multiple people can be authorised on the same investment account, for example:

• a joint account
• legal representation, such as:
  • parents or guardians of a minor
  • court‑appointed administrators or guardianship arrangements
  • authorised company representatives
• non‑legal representation, such as:
  • holding a power of attorney for another person or entity
  • granting someone else a power of attorney for your account
• testamentary or gift‑related administration