On 9 December, BETTER FINANCE, in collaboration with DSW, convened the International Investors’ Conference Europe at a Crossroads – Are We Still Competitive? in Wiesbaden. The high-level event gathered senior representatives from EU institutions, financial regulators, industry leaders, and academia to discuss Europe’s economic resilience and its strategic path toward enhancing global competitiveness through financial
In a powerful address at the European Parliament ECON hearing, “Financial Services for Women, by Women,” Aleksandra Mączyńska, Managing Director of BETTER FINANCE, highlighted the critical need for financial systems that empower women as investors, leaders, and decision-makers. Her speech stressed the importance of tackling the systemic barriers that hold women back in finance and
Climate change affects public finance systems around the globe and retail investors are increasingly concerned about making their investment work for both their financial future, and the well-being of the planet. In BETTER FINANCE’s recent educational and advocacy campaign, 86% of retail investors across Europe
The Dire State of Belgian Pension Savings: A Snapshot of the Widespread Pension Crisis Across Europe As BETTER FINANCE prepares to unveil the 12th edition of its annual long term and pension savings report in October, a troubling trend is becoming increasingly evident, highlighting the precarious state of
For the past 12 years, BETTER FINANCE has been revealing the true returns of long-term and pension savings in the EU. Over the past few years, it became evident that the pension situation in the EU is bleak: almost all product categories analysed in the
What do platforms like TradeRepublic, BUX, Trading212, Interactive Brokers, Revolut, DEGIRO, BitPanda, and eToro have in common? They are neobrokers or offer digital brokerage services, making investing more accessible and affordable for retail investors across the EU. However, they can differ significantly in their operations
Investing in capital markets has been proven to deliver substantial gains in the long term compared to less direct investment products. Yet, Europeans’ money sits mostly in bank deposits (which come with minor returns). The State of Retail Investment in Europe Only 17% of Europeans
Your shares represent more than just financial assets—they provide you with a voice in the companies you invest in. In fact, they represent your co-ownership of a listed company. As a shareholder, you have the right to: Stay informed Vote at Annual General Meetings (AGMs)
On January 31, 2020, Airbus, Europe’s largest aerospace multinational, reached a historic settlement with authorities in France, the United States, and the United Kingdom. To avoid prosecution over bribery in securing contracts with airline executives and government officials across 20 countries between 2004 and 2016, Airbus paid a staggering €3.6 billion—the largest global foreign bribery
In a recent Financial Times article, Guillaume Prache, Senior advisor at BETTER FINANCE, criticizes the use of Article 8 funds in sustainable investing. He argues that increasing the minimum sustainable investment percentage in these funds is ineffective and prone to greenwashing. These funds often oversimplify sustainability as mere ‘green activities’ and predominantly use an exclusion