We need information about your knowledge and experience of investing. This will enable us to better assess which investment products are suitable for you. It is for this reason that we would like to ask you to answer a number of questions about your knowledge and experience before you start investing. For example, in which type of investment products you invest, for how long you have been doing so and how often you place orders for them.
Do you invest in Self Directed Investing Plus and do you want to start investing in complex investment products? Before you can place your first order in a complex investment product, you must pass a knowledge exam on that complex investment product.
Learn and test your knowledge
Not that familiar with the investment product yet? Then go to the Investors Academy. You will find information about the investment product there. You will also find frequently asked questions for some complex investment products.
Learned enough? Can you estimate the risks and are you willing and able to take those risks? Take the knowledge exam and test your knowledge. Passed? Then you can place your first order.
Would you like to place an investment order? Then we always check whether you have experience with the investment product and whether you are aware of its characteristics and risks. That is why we ask you to answer a number of questions about your knowledge and experience in Internet Banking (duration: approximately 5 minutes).
We assess your order against the knowledge and experience you have provided to ascertain whether an investment product is suitable for you. Based on your answers, do you have too little knowledge and experience for an investment product? Or have you not yet answered all the questions? Then you will see a warning with your order. Have you gained more knowledge and experience? Then you can always change your answers.
Investing in complex investment products carries additional risks. Therefore, it is important that you know and understand how these products work and the risks involved. We test this through a knowledge exam. You must have passed the knowledge exam of that complex investment product before you place your order. Do you want to invest in options? In that case, it is also subject to the condition that you also sign the Options Sub-agreement.
The knowledge exams are available through Internet Banking and consist of a maximum of 10 questions. You can take the exam 3 times a day until you pass. For a knowledge exam with 10 questions, you will have passed if you have answered 8 or more questions correctly. Have you passed an exam? If so, you will see a green tick next to that exam in Internet Banking. This means that you do not have to take the knowledge exam (again). There are only two attempts possible for the knowledge exams of Private Equity and Complex Stocks (SPAC’s). After the second failed attempt you can retake the exam after three months.
By purchasing shares, you become a small part owner of a company.
Money lent to companies or governments at a fixed coupon rate.
Track an index or ‘basket’ of shares or bonds.
Funds that invest in a diversified mix of shares or other investment products.
Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) with more freedom of choice and risks.
Investment funds with more and riskier strategies.
Standard contracts that give the right to buy or sell an underlying asset.
Bonds or similar investment products with special characteristics and conditions. For example, convertible bonds, perpetual bonds and asset-backed securities.
Custom contracts that give the right to buy or sell an underlying asset.
Combined products consisting of options with stocks, bonds or an index. For example, Autocallable Notes, Participation Certificates and Commodity Certificates (ETCs).
Structured products with leverage e.g. turbos. A leverage causes a greater price movement than the underlying asset itself.
Structured products consisting of a combination of an option with a bond, which provide (partial) protection of the principal sum. For example, FIX-Plus Notes.
A Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) is a listed company with no business activities. SPAC’s raise money through an IPO (initial public offering) and are looking for a non-listed company to take a majority stake. Investors in a SPAC only hear later which company it is and can vote on this. In this way, shareholders of the SPAC can become shareholders of the company taken over by the SPAC. This company then takes over the stock exchange listing of the SPAC. SPACs carry a high risk of loss.
Private Equity is investing in unlisted companies. These can also be starting or developing companies. This is done through illiquid investment funds and is a long term investment. Getting out early is usually not possible. Private Equity carries a high risk of loss.
Investing entails risks. You could lose (some of) the money you invested. If you are going to invest, it is important that you are aware of this. Invest with money you can spare. Read more about the risks associated with investments.
