In a press statement published on Friday, the bank which has a presence in Luxembourg wrote that the central bank had carried out an audit at Degroof Petercam’s premises on internal control procedures to prevent money laundering.

“This audit resulted in recommendations that Degroof Petercam implements in close consultation with its regulators.”

“Degroof Petercam is not aware that the above-mentioned audit has led to a judicial investigation, as indicated in the Belga dispatches published today.”

“Degroof Petercam's compliance with the regulations is at the heart of its concerns and, to this end, it works closely with regulators.”

On 25 April, Reuters cited a source at the European Central Bank as saying its supervisory board would take up its case at a meeting on Thursday. These meetings are held biweekly to assess risks at banks under its watch.

“The case is on the agenda because it is not totally unimportant,” it cited the official, adding that audits on money laundering are conducted by national supervisory authorities only in exceptional cases where there are reasons for concern.