BETTER FINANCE is very pleased to welcome Sébastien Commain to the BETTER FINANCE Team in Brussels where he has started in his new role as Research and Policy Officer. As part of the BETTER FINANCE Research and Policy team, Sébastien will focus on Financial Services Regulation and Capital Markets Research. Sébastien has extensive experience with
According to the European Securities and Markets Authority’s (ESMA) recent study on the EU Eco-label awarded to green retail financial products and services, only 16 funds out of a sample of 3000 meet the proposed minimum portfolio greenness threshold of 50% and exclusion requirements. In view of these findings, the supervisor has suggested loosening requirements
[ARCHIVED: This survey is now closed] The refund of withholding taxes on dividends – to avoid double taxation – can be a complicated procedure for private investors/shareholders across the European Union. Many factors must be taken into account, including the tax residence of the shareholder and the country of the issuer (the listed company), administrative
In a letter to BETTER FINANCE, Commissioner McGuinness reconfirmed her commitment to the key objectives of the Retail Investor Strategy. BETTER FINANCE is also encouraged to read that Ms McGuinness reemphasises the clear and very appropriate objectives of the Retail Investor Strategy as spelled out in the European Commission’s September 2020 CMU Action Plan: Coherent
The Czech Presidency of the Council tightened plans for an EU-wide ban on a controversial stock-trading practice despite opposition from the German government. Last Monday, governments were able to see the draft ban on “payment for order flow”. The text states that investment firms “shall not receive fees, commissions or non-monetary benefits from third parties
On Wednesday 14 December, the United Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed Regulation Best Execution, seeking to establish a best execution regulatory framework mandating that securities brokers and dealers execute deals at the best price available. BETTER FINANCE, which itself has been highlighting the need for more transparent and fair European stock markets, applauds the
For a long time considered a model of German success story, the online payment company Wirecard collapsed in 2020 in a dramatic and scandalous bankruptcy, tarnishing the reputation of the political class and financial control authorities. This Thursday, the trial of the former president of Wirecard and two other managers opens in Munich. An alleged
An analysis by ESMA, the European Securities and Markets Authority, has shed light on the costs and performance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) funds compared to non-ESG funds. The findings reveal that ESG funds have lower costs and better performance, even after considering factors such as portfolio composition. Understanding the drivers behind these differences
Monika Dutt, director of European passive strategies research at Morningstar said: “We spend so much time talking about ESG in Europe, but the system hinders investor outcomes,” ETFs are seen by many industry observers as an ideal retail product, not only because they typically charge lower fees than their mutual fund counterparts, but also because
European ETFs closed the fourth quarter of 2020 by passing the €1 trillion milestone, with ESG-focused funds drawing the lion’s share of net inflows. Jose Garcia-Zarate, associate director of passive strategies research, explained: “This is a major milestone for an industry that is only two decades old in Europe and will surely make plenty of