Regulation of financial markets

Stable and efficient financial markets are important for the favourable development of the national economy. The Ministry of Finance ensures that the regulation of the financial markets promotes the reliable and versatile functioning of the markets and that the supply of financial services in Finland remains secure.

The regulation of financial markets is broadly harmonised within the EU, and most of the national legislation is based on EU directives or regulations. A key part of the Ministry of Finance’s work is to proactively influence the preparation of regulatory measures concerning financial markets in the EU and to actively monitor the development of regulation in international organisations. In recent years, regulation has focused on forming a single market for capital in the EU.

The Ministry is responsible for the regulation of financial markets, which applies to: 

  • the operation of companies offering financial and investment services, such as credit institutions, investment services companies and fund management companies;
  • payment and settlement systems;
  • securities, derivatives and crypto-asset trading;
  • the book-entry system;
  • the monitoring of financial markets;
  • prevention of money laundering on financial markets;
  • the sanctions system of financial market regulation;
  • crisis resolution; and
  • the monetary and central banking system.

The Ministry grants operating licences to the regulated market, in other words, the stock exchange, the clearing corporation and the central securities depository, and confirms their rules.

Further information

European Commission

Financial Stability Board (FSB)

Financial Supervisory Authority

Database of legislative and other juridical information (Finlex)

Database of EU law (EUR-Lex)

Financial Stability (Bank of Finland)

Payments and markets (European Central Bank)

Contacts 

Anu Ranta, Director, Capital Markets

[email protected]