ESMA · ESMA_QA_2785 Answer Published

Interests earned from client funds deposited at a credit institution

Regulation
Directive 2014/65/EU - Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II)
Topic
Safeguarding of client assets
Submitted
2026-02-23
Answered
2026-09-21

Question

Does MiFID II permit investment firms to earn interest on client funds deposited in a savings account at a credit institution?

Answer

Answer provided by the European Commission   No. In order to protect an investor’s rights in respect of funds entrusted to a firm, Article 16 (9) of Directive 2014/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (MiFID II) stipulates that an investment firm holding client funds shall make adequate arrangements to safeguard the rights of clients and prevent the investment firm’s use of client funds for its own account. The investment firms’ obligation under Article 16 (9) of MiFID II not to use clients’ funds for its own account includes the obligation for the investment firms not to retain any interest accrued from those funds (deposited in an account with a credit institution).

This Q&A is published by European Securities and Markets Authority and is non-binding. It does not constitute legal advice. Updated weekly from official ESA sources.

Similar Q&As

📋 Track EU financial regulation continuously

Forseti monitors EU financial regulation and delivers personalised alerts anchored to verified official sources.

14-day free trial. No credit card required.