Section 2: Provisions relating to investment firms

Investment firms are legal entities, other than portfolio management companies and credit institutions, which are authorised to provide the investment services referred to in Article L. 321-1 on a regular professional basis. The investment firms defined in the previous paragraph may be: 1° A class 1 bis investment firm, authorised to provide any of the investment services mentioned in 3, 6-1 or 6-2 of article L. 321-1, which is not…

Investment firms may, under conditions defined by the Minister for the Economy, acquire and hold equity interests in existing or start-up companies.

I. Changes in the ownership structure of an investment firm must be notified to the Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution. The acquisition or extension of direct or indirect shareholdings in an investment firm must be authorised by the Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution. When the Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution is notified of the reduction or disposal of a direct or indirect holding, it…

The Minister responsible for the economy shall set the conditions under which investment firms and credit and investment institutions as defined in article L. 516-1 may carry on, on a professional basis, an activity other than those provided for in articles L. 223-6, L. 321-1, L. 321-2 and, where applicable, L. 323-1.

Each investment firm, market undertaking and clearing house shall join an association of its choice, responsible for the collective representation and defence of the rights and interests of its members. Any such association shall be affiliated to the association provided for in Article L. 511-29.