Aether FS Enters a New Era with the ACPR

Aether FS Enters a New Era, the ACPR Officializes its PSP Authorization.

Aether Financial Services (Aether FS), the leading French provider of financial transaction execution, announces a significant milestone by obtaining the authorization as a Payment Institution

(PI), one of the categories of authorizations for Payment Service Providers (PSP), granted by the Prudential Control and Resolution Authority (ACPR). This decision marks the beginning of a new era, making Aether FS the only independent company in France to hold this authorization, thereby transforming it into an integrated alternative to banks for Agency services.

Aether FS Guided by the Vision of Industry Evolution

Founded in 2015 on the premise that middle and back office banking functions would naturally evolve towards outsourcing, Aether FS has focused from the outset on the quality of its client relationships (ISO 9001 certification obtained in 2017), leading to a current client satisfaction rate of 90% (source: Aether FS client survey 2023).

In just 8 years, Aether FS has established itself within the French financial ecosystem. It has become an essential player in the private debt market in France and has positioned itself as a specialist in Agency services. Building on this recognized position in the market, Aether FS has also emerged as a consistent global contributor, aiming to support the development of private debt in its own way:

• Creation of the Paris Private Bond: the first non-deal roadshow dedicated to private debt;
• Creation of the Aether FS Unitranche France Index: the first private debt index in France;
• Historical sponsor of the Private Debt workshop at the IPEM;
• Participation in the drafting of numerous articles, blogs, webinars, and conferences in France.

ACPR The Long Journey to EP Authorization

The acquisition of this authorization was not an isolated act, but the result of close collaboration with experts from various fields and the Aether FS teams:

• Aether FS has engaged Spitz, Poulle et Kannan, a law firm specializing in financial services and regulation, as well as the consulting firm Regsharp, which boasts over 15 years of experience in banking regulation and compliance. These strategic partnerships have enabled Aether FS to adhere to the most stringent regulatory requirements, with Regsharp overseeing the level 3 review of its regulatory procedures.
• As part of its operations as a Payment Services Provider, Aether FS has selected JP Morgan for its account management, thereby offering its clients an international footprint (the ability to operate in all currencies and geographies), a best-in-class technological platform, and unique financial robustness.
• Regarding governance, Aether FS has completely restructured its organization with the establishment of four distinct committees, ensuring, as a regulated entity, enhanced oversight, increased transparency, and fluid communication and information sharing: a Supervisory Committee chaired by Denis Samuel-Lajeunesse, a Compliance and Internal Control Committee, an Information Systems Security Monitoring Committee, and a New Products and Services Committee.

In addition to these new committees, new functions in Compliance, Risk, Regulation, and Back Office have been created. This regulatory initiative is a logical progression of Aether FS's commitment to providing a comprehensive service offering.