All credit institutions and finance companies are required to join a professional body or a central body affiliated to the Association française des établissements de crédit et des entreprises d’investissement.
The purpose of the French Association of Credit Institutions and Investment Firms is to represent the collective interests of credit institutions, finance companies, electronic money institutions, payment institutions, portfolio management companies and investment firms, in particular vis-à-vis the public authorities, to inform its members and the public, to study any issue of common interest and to draw up recommendations relating thereto with a view, where appropriate, to promoting cooperation between networks, and to organise and manage services of common interest. Its purpose is also to draw up codes of conduct applicable to credit institutions, finance companies, portfolio management companies and investment firms with a view to their approval under the conditions set out in Article L. 611-3-1.
The Association française des établissements de crédit et des entreprises d’investissement may also engage in social dialogue on general issues concerning all credit institutions, finance companies, payment institutions, portfolio management companies and investment firms with the trade unions representing this sector.
Its articles of association are subject to ministerial approval.