You work on issues that have an impact on everyone
‘Everything we do at DNB is in the public interest.’ Our work is not focused on commercial interests or profit, but on financial stability, sustainable prosperity and a smoothly functioning financial system.
That societal aspect is still the main reason why, almost nine years after I started, I still enjoy working here so much. I joined DNB as a junior lawyer in 2017, straight after completing my degree in European Law. I specialised in the legislation relating to Economic and Monetary Union and wrote my thesis on the role of the European Central Bank (ECB) during the euro crisis. Joining DNB’s Legal Services division therefore felt like a very natural step.
There is a legal aspect to virtually everything DNB does
As a lawyer at DNB, you’ll gain a unique insight into virtually everything that goes on in the organisation. As soon as issues become complex or sensitive, or if problems arise, the legal perspective almost always plays a key role. That means you’re very much in tune with almost everything going on.
During my first few years at DNB, I mainly worked on supervisory matters and procedures. I advised DNB’s supervisors on legal issues and handled objection and appeal procedures involving financial institutions. Whenever institutions disagreed with decisions made by DNB – for example regarding fines or penalty payments – those cases were referred to us. I dealt with a lot of major cases during that period. Together with external lawyers, I worked on the legal strategy and defending DNB’s position in court.
Since early 2025, I have been working in the Central Bank, Corporate Legal and Resolution (CBR) department, which is part of the Legal Services division. In that role, I advise DNB’s central banking divisions on matters such as monetary policy, payment systems and the digital euro.
You help build a financial system that people rely on every day.
International cooperation within the Eurosystem
My current role has a strong international focus. Much of the work carried out by central banks is organised at European level. The Netherlands is part of the Eurosystem, and many decisions are taken in consultation with other euro area central banks and the ECB.
There are various committees in the Eurosystem in which national central banks are represented. One of these is the ECB’s Legal Committee. Legal Services makes a significant contribution to this committee, and I coordinate much of the work it carries out.
For example, the ECB might put forward proposals for changes to the regulations governing monetary operations or interbank payments. We then assess which legal considerations are relevant from a Dutch perspective and provide our input on behalf of DNB. The central banks then work together with the ECB to reach a common position. Sometimes this process is quick; at other times, lengthy discussions arise because countries have differing interests or legal interpretations. It is precisely that kind of European dynamism that makes the work so interesting to me.
Working to make a societal impact
The impact of our work is very tangible. People need to be confident that their money is safe and that the payment system is always up and running. We contribute to making that a reality every day.
A good example of this is anti-money laundering supervision. A few years ago, DNB significantly tightened its AML supervision, imposing fines on institutions where customer due diligence and transaction monitoring were not up to standard. As a lawyer, you can really make a difference by ensuring that decisions stand up to legal scrutiny. You can then see the results in practice: institutions improve their processes and comply more effectively with the rules. Supervision really does have an impact.
A lot of responsibility and scope for growth
Legal Services is home to highly competent people from a wide range of backgrounds. At the same time, the atmosphere is informal and welcoming. You quickly get a lot of responsibility, a great deal of confidence and plenty of scope for growth
I took a specialisation course in financial law and various training courses focusing on personal development. DNB actively invests in its staff’s development and offers plenty of opportunities for further specialisation.
For legal professionals seeking substantive challenges and wishing to contribute to societal issues, DNB is a one-of-a-kind employer. ‘You work on issues that affect everyone and will be given responsibility at an early stage for projects that regularly make the news.’
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