Players in the banking, insurance and financial investment sectors belong to different categories of professionals, depending on the nature of the activities they are authorized to carry out. Several registers are available to investors, enabling them to check and ensure that these intermediaries and brokers are authorized to carry out a given transaction.
In the banking sector
To find out whether an establishment belonging to the banking sector is authorized to open an account or passbook, or to grant credit or means of payment, simply consult the register of financial agents (REGAFI). The Regafiwebsite lists companies and individuals authorized by the Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution (ACPR) to carry out banking, financial or payment services activities. For each of the entities listed, it provides an overview of the various regulated activities carried out in France. For payment institutions, the register enables consultation of activities carried out in other countries belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA). The search can be carried out on a company or person whose name, denomination or identification code is known to the investor, or on a group of legal entities or individuals with the same activity profile.
Banking products can also be marketed by intermediaries in banking and payment services. To find out whether a person is authorized to carry out this type of activity, you can consult theOrias register. As some fraudsters try to pass themselves off as authorized players, you are advised to be particularly vigilant.
In the insurance sector
It is possible to determine whether an insurance organization (insurance company, provident institution or mutual) is authorized to operate in France by consulting the register of insurance organizations. Available on the Refassu.fr website, this regularly updated public register provides access to a wide range of information, such as the lines of business for which these organizations are authorized, and the activities they may legally carry out abroad (for organizations authorized in France).
Insurance contracts may also be marketed by insurance intermediaries. It is therefore important to consult the ORIAS register.
In the investment products sector
Whether you are approached by a financial investment advisor (CIF) or wish to place your money with an online broker, it is in your best interest to check the accreditation of the person you are dealing with and the products they offer.
If the person offering you financial investments claims to be a financial investment advisor, you'll need to check his or her registration in the single register maintained by ORIAS. In addition, you can consult the blacklists of sites or entities not authorized to offer Forex investments, derivatives on crypto-assets, binary options and investments in various goods in France. These lists are published and regularly updated by the ACPR and the Autorité des marchés financiers.