AFS History
"The AFS Group has a long history dating back almost 170 years and involves a few of the best known names in the history of Dutch brokerage."
1851-1990
Troost, Herckenrath & Ten Kate
AFS Group origins can be traced back to 1851 when three financial entrepreneurs set up Troost, Herckenrath & Ten Kate. This firm was for almost 140 years specialised in Dutch guilder loans on the Money- and Capital markets.
1984-1999
Schamhart Independent Floor Broker Services & AFS
The European Option Exchange (EOE) was founded in 1978 in Amsterdam as a futures and options exchange. In 1983 it started a stock market index, called the EOE index. In 1984 Schamhart Independent Floor Broker Services opened her doors to facilitate non-members entrance to the exchange. Schamhart was one of the first brokers active on the floor. In 1994 Schamhart set up a separate entity under the name AFS as an independent interdealer broker in Equity and Bonds.
1990-1999
AOT
In 1990 Troost, Herckenrath & Ten Kate was acquired by Amsterdam Option Traders (AOT). AOT was set up in 1980 and went public in 1985. AOT was an international trading firm specialised in the trading of Equity and Equity Derivatives. Troost, Herckenrath & Ten Kate became the foundation of AOT Money Brokers. In 10 years’ time the Money Market department of AOT became the biggest Money Broker of The Netherlands.
2001
2000
AFS Group
In the year 2000 the four entities: AFS B.V., the Equity derivatives broker Schamhart Independent Floorbroker Services B.V., the Money Market department of AOT and the commodity broker and asset manager Maas & Daemen B.V. merged under the new name AFS Group. The former Troost, Herckenrath & Ten Kate and Money Market department of AOT isnow known as AFS Intererst. Schamhart Independent Floorbroker Services B.V is now known as AFS Execution Services.
Opening London office
The first couple of years in the new millennium AFS Group focused on the further expansion of its services. The London office was opened in order to be able to service AFS’ clients also from the UK.
2011
Consolidation of AFS Group
As of the first of January 2011 (after the separation of the asset management department in 2010) AFS Group was taken over by its current management. With this take over the independency of AFS Group was consolidated.
2012
AFS Group takes over IWB
In December 2012 AFS Group took over the well-known Equity Derivatives Broker IWB. Founded in 1997 IWB was with their Zurich branch the biggest Equity Derivatives broker of The Benelux. With this merger AFS Group was able to consolidate its Equity Derivatives services. The subsidiary who took over IWB is now known as AFS Execution Services.
2013
Start AFS Energy
Mid 2013 AFS Group took over Energy Broker Neutralco to start AFS Energy. In 10 years’ time AFS Energy has built out to a frontrunner in the sustainability and renewable energy markets.
2015 & 2016
Strengthening Fixed Income
With the acquisition of experienced Fixed Income broker teams, the foundation has been laid for the Fixed Income department. The Fixed Income department is a material division within AFS Interest.
2019
AFS Blue
For the sake of transparency and efficiency in combination of MIFID II regulations. AFS started to move conventional brokerage onto regulated OTF and MTF venues. The first released platform is called AFS Blue. AFS Blue connects Issuers and Investors in the primary and secondary markets for debt instruments with a minimum of an (implicit) AA rating.
2022
Merge Knox
In 2022 AFS Execution Services reinforced her offering by taking over the Knox custody activities. After approval of the Dutch regulator AFM the custody service started in December.
Future plans
AFS has solidified its position as a strong independent financial broker. For the near future AFS is ambitious to expand its activities further in continental Europe and Asia.
