On 18 November, EIOPA organized its annual conference in Frankfurt. This year the main topics were supervisory convergence, reinforcing preventive consumer protection and preserving financial stability. The more than 370 participants attended three sessions on: “Countdown to Solvency II”, “Retirement savings in the 21st century” and “Evolving insurance business models”. However, consumer advocacy groups were
The European Commission organizes a public hearing for the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) and the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) on 24 May 2013. Questions will address the achievements of the individual authorities and effectiveness of the ESFS as a whole, taking into account the possible impact of the Single Supervisory Mechanism. The Financial Services
BETTER FINANCE welcomes the horizontal and vertical dimensions represented in the objectives of the taxonomy. Furthermore, we would like to suggest expanding the horizontal dimension based on the promotion of gender equality which should not be based only on the gender pay gap but also on freedom of expression, assembly, etc.
BETTER FINANCE is a non-profit international NGO with its office in Brussels acting as an independent financial expertise centre for the direct benefit of European financial services users (individual shareholders, investors, savers, life insurance policyholders, pension fund participants, mortgage borrowers, etc.) and other stakeholders of European financial services who are independent of the financial industry.
From 15 June to 17 June, BETTER FINANCE, the European Federation of Investors and Financial Services Users, and its Member Organisations gathered in Athens for their General Assembly and International Investors’ Conference, co-organised with Helinas, the Hellenic Investors Association. The meetings in Greece were also the occasion to elect a new Board. BETTER FINANCE is
On the 21st of January 2022, the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) announced that its General Assembly had selected BETTER FINANCE as one of its new members. This represents a further improvement of EFRAG’s governance and its opening to individual investors, consumers, and other stakeholders from civil society. Since 2017, and up to last
BETTER FINANCE welcomes the horizontal and vertical dimensions represented in the objectives of the taxonomy. Furthermore, we would like to suggest expanding the horizontal dimension based on the promotion of gender equality which should not be based only on the gender pay gap but also on freedom of expression, assembly, etc.
The coronavirus pandemic has dealt a blow to pension systems across Europe, heaping pressure on policymakers to introduce reforms to avoid a decades-long retirement crisis, according to an influential consumer group. Big increases in unemployment will shrink the tax revenues used to fund state pensions and reduce contributions to retirement saving schemes run by employers
We were very saddened to learn of the death of Martin Morton at the age of 87. Martin represented UKSA, one of BETTER FINANCE’s member organisations from the UK, at countless BETTER FINANCE (and Euroshareholders before that) meetings in Brussels and engaged all present in lively debates. His rich insights in all matters related to
Collective Redress Directive – a directive for initiating court actions against companies who infringe consumers rights
The Retail Investment Strategy (RIS) compromise currently on the table for a European Parliament vote blatantly disregards the interests of retail investors and the establishment of a competitive Capital Markets Union (CMU). Should Ms Yon-Courtin’s proposed compromise be approved by the ECON committee on 20th March and subsequently put to a plenary vote one month
BETTER FINANCE endorses the FSUG’s call for improved ‘Value for Money’ in retail investments. The focus is on enhancing the effectiveness of packaged retail and insurance-based investment products (PRIIPs) to contribute significantly to investors’ financial well-being. The FSUG emphasises the responsibility of product manufacturers to design products that boost investors’ financial wealth and urges supervisors
⬇️ Read or download BETTER FINANCE’s Individual Investors’ Key Priorities for 2024-2029 below. ⬇️ Let’s harness the Capital Markets Union’s (CMU) potential to benefit our citizens as financial consumers, retail investors and pension savers, as well as our planet, the economy, and for future generations. This will ensure Europe’s prosperity and security in a rapidly
DG FISMA will be organising a roundtable on January 25th, 2024 at 10:00, where Aleksandra Maczynska, Acting Managing Director at BETTER FINANCE will address the panel on ‘Opportunities from a shorter settlement cycle in the EU’.
The Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation (SFDR) started applying in March 2021 and requires financial market participants and financial advisers to disclose at entity and product levels how they integrate sustainability risks and principal adverse impacts in their processes at both entity and product levels. It also introduces additional product disclosures for sustainable financial products making
BETTER FINANCE is pleased to announce a new collaboration with SASV (Schweizerischer Anlegerschutzverein), the Swiss Investor Protection Association, further expanding its pan-European network. SASV is dedicated to promoting transparency within the Swiss capital market and advancing investor rights. This partnership with BETTER FINANCE aims to bolster the representation of Swiss individual investors and shareholders on
Brussels, 14 December 2023 – On December 11th, the BETTER FINANCE Scientific Council convened to discuss next year’s research program and to elect a new chairperson. The Council recommended that BETTER FINANCE continues to build on the extensive research conducted by the team and expressed support for the 2024 research program, including further research on
The Lithuanian Investors Association and BETTER FINANCE, the European Federation of Investors and Financial Services Users, are organising the annual BETTER FINANCE International Investors’ Conference, scheduled to take place in Vilnius on May 30, 2024. The conference, titled “Vilnius 2024 | Shaping the Future of Finance,” will delve into various topics encompassing European and Baltic
Date: Wednesday, 17 April 2024 | Time: 14h00 – 18h00 | Place: University Foundation, 11 Rue d’Egmont, 1000 Brussels PROGRAMME 13h30 – 14h00 | Registration & Coffee 14h00 – 14h10 | Welcome | Aleksandra Mączyńska, Acting Managing Director, BETTER FINANCE 14h10 – 14h30 | Keynote Speech | José Manuel Campa, Chair, European Banking Authority (EBA)
The “Swiss Association for the Protection of Investors” (Schweizerische Anlegerschutzverein) is committed to transparency on the Swiss capital market and the promotion and enforcement of investor rights in Switzerland. Its purpose is to protect the interests of investors with regard to financial investments and to support them in the enforcement of their corporate and economic
BETTER FINANCE is happy to announce that The European Banking Authority’s Banking Stakeholder Group (BSG) selected one of its previous vice-chairs, Alin Iacob, to join the BSG again. Alin Iacob is the Chairman of the Association of Romanian Financial Services Users (AURSF). AURSF has been a member of BETTER FINANCE, the European Federation of Investors
On 14 September 2011, BETTER FINANCE (then “EuroInvestors”) and BEUC (the European Consumer Organization) filed complaints with the European Ombudsman against the nominations of the members of the Stakeholder Groups set up by the European Banking Authority (EBA) and by the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA). In December 2013 the European Ombudsman, after careful analysis of
On Monday 21 October, the European Banking Authority (EBA) announced the renewal of its Banking Stakeholder Group (BSG). According to the EBA, this group has the role of facilitating consultation and dialogue with stakeholders in all the areas relevant to the tasks of the EBA. EBA is an independent European Union Authority which works to
On 17 May, the European Bank Authority launched a Call for expression of interest to prepare a renewal of its Banking Stakeholder Group (BSG), which has been established to help facilitate EBA’s consultation with stakeholders. The ‘Call for expressions of interest’is open to candidates representing stakeholders across the European Union. The deadline for application is
After the 2023 AGM season and looking ahead to the 2024 season, BETTER FINANCE and its member organisations voice concerns about the erosion of shareholder rights. Inadequate rules for Virtual Annual General Meetings (AGMs) in some Member States highlight the need for broader engagement and representation frameworks for investors to truly benefit from digitalisation. The
[Archived: The Survey is now Closed] It’s all about retail shareholder democracy in Europe! Did you try to vote (or did you successfully vote) at Shareholders Meetings of EU Companies in 2022? If not, there is still time, AGMs of companies are still ongoing. • Let us know your experience: Survey Open, until 10 September
BETTER FINANCE Member, VZMD (The Pan-Slovenian Shareholders’ Association), disputes the decision of MERCATOR General meeting allowing for an (unnecessary) recapitalisation by swapping a part of the debt which is due to the bankrupt AGROKOR (transferred to the FORTENOVA GROUP) and is thus paving the way to squeeze out the remaining 1284 minority shareholders. Last week,
The annual general meeting (AGM) is the cornerstone of shareholder democracy and an essential part of sound corporate governance. Not only are AGMs the place where shareholders get to vote on key decisions, it is also the only time board members and management are held to account, having to answer directly to their shareholders and
The annual general meeting of shareholders (AGM) is the cornerstone for sound corporate governance. It is through the shareholders’ vote at the AGM that board members’ actions get legitimacy and validity. However, it is not only voting that takes place at an AGM. The shareholders’ meeting is the only place where directors must report to
On 21 November 2018, Guillaume Prache, Managing Director of BETTER FINANCE was asked by the ECON Committee of the European Parliament to make a statement on a proposed amendment to the PRIIPs Regulation. The European Commission and the Permanent Representation of Germany were also asked to make a statement on the same issue
On December 8 and 9, BETTER FINANCE for All will hold its General Assembly followed by an International Conference jointly organized with our German member association DSW (Deutsche Schutzvereinigung für Wertpapierbesitz e.V). DSW & BETTER FINANCE for All have the pleasure of inviting you to The International Investors’ Conference on ‘Shareholder Rights in Europe 2020’ that will take place on
EU leaders met in Brussels yesterday and continued their discussion today on the British reform proposals, the migration crisis but also on their economic views and Bank Breakups. Brussels is worried about the prospect of an actual Brexit but relaxed about the outcome of the summit. British Bankers were at pains to dispel the Franco-German
On Friday, 5th July 2013, EuroFinUse met with Philippe Maystadt, who was appointed by Commissioner Michel Barnier as the Special Adviser to enhance EU’s role in promoting high quality accounting standards. EuroFinUse provided Mr Maystadt with the views of retail investors on accounting standards, the principles they should contain and the need to count with
The European Central Bank will make the accounts of its policy deliberations available to the public, starting with its upcoming meeting on January 22. However, the minutes will not reveal the vote counting or details on how individual board members voted. This will ensure that policy makers do not come under undue political pressure from