The Belgium Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DGS), also known as the ‘fondsdegarantie’, is a financial safety net that protects depositors’ savings in case a bank or credit institution fails. The primary purpose of deposit insurance is to maintain public confidence in the banking system, encourage savings, and minimize the risk of bank runs, which can destabilize the financial system. By guaranteeing a certain amount of deposits, the DGS ensures that individuals and small businesses can recover their money up to a specified limit, even if their bank becomes insolvent.
The DGS in Belgium is governed by the Royal Decree of 14 November 2008 and managed by the Guarantee Fund for Financial Services (GFFS). The GFFS is an autonomous public institution, supervised by the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) and the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA). The GFFS is responsible for compensating depositors, managing the DGS funds, and contributing to the resolution of failing banks.
The organizational structure of the GFFS comprises a Board of Directors, an Executive Committee, and several specialized committees. The Board of Directors consists of representatives from the NBB, FSMA, the Ministry of Finance, and independent experts. The Executive Committee is responsible for implementing the decisions of the Board and managing the daily operations of the GFFS.
To contact the DGS administration in Belgium, you can reach out to the Guarantee Fund for Financial Services at the following address and phone number:
Guarantee Fund for Financial Services
Rue du Congrès 12-14
1000 Brussels Belgium
Phone: +32 (0)2 220 52 11