Date: 28 March 2025 | Time: 09:00 – 15:15 | Location: KBR Royal Library of Belgium

BETTER FINANCE is pleased to announce its upcoming International Conference on “Towards a Savings and Investment Union (SIU).”

The International Conference, taking place on 28 March 2025 in Brussels, will bring together key stakeholders from across Europe to discuss how to strengthen retail investor participation and deliver better value for money in the EU financial markets.

This event will feature expert keynote speeches, insightful panels, and interactive discussions aimed at shaping policies for a more inclusive and transparent financial landscape.

The conference will feature a keynote speech by Maria Luís Albuquerque, Commissioner, DG FISMA, European Commission.

During her intervention, Commissioner Albuquerque will address ongoing efforts to enhance retail participation and the next steps toward fair and accessible investment opportunities for retail investors.

We invite policymakers, civil society representatives, industry professionals, and stakeholders to join us for this crucial conversation on the future of savings and investment in Europe.

Programme

09:00 – 09:30 | Registration and Welcome Coffee

09:30 – 09:40 | Opening Remarks

The importance of achieving a robust Savings and Investment Union (SIU), focusing on both retail investor participation and value for money.

09:40 – 10:00 | Keynote Speech | Enhancing Retail Participation in the EU Financial Markets

Progress on the Retail Investment Strategy.

Ensuring fair, transparent, and accessible investment opportunities.

How EU policies aim to deliver value for retail investors and boost confidence in financial markets.

10:00 – 11:10 | Panel 1 | Enhancing Retail Participation in the EU Financial Markets

Engaging more retail investors in EU financial markets and addressing the lack of trust.

The role of digital solutions in reducing barriers to entry.

Improving accessibility and transparency of investment products for retail investors.

11:10 – 11:40 | Coffee Break

11:40 – 12:00 | Keynote Speech | Delivering Value for Money in EU Financial Markets

Legislative initiatives to strengthen retail investor participation: enhancing access to financial markets while ensuring fairness and transparency.

Value for Money (VfM) in financial products: ensuring products deliver appropriate returns relative to their cost, are fit for purpose, and avoid excessive fees.

Impact on retail investors: how VfM boosts trust, prevents return erosion, and enables better-informed investment decisions.

Driving financial literacy and sustainability: the role of transparency and education in fostering confidence and aligning with sustainability goals.

12:00 – 13:10 | Panel 2 | Delivering Value for Money in EU Financial Markets

Defining Value for Money (VfM): Establishing benchmarks for VfM, focusing on costs, returns, and alignment with retail investors’ needs.

Regulatory initiatives to promote VfM: Exploring how legislation and supervisory actions can drive the creation of value-driven financial products.

Improving competition to allow better VfM for consumers.

Transparency and informed decision-making: Ensuring retail investors have clear information on fees, costs, and product performance to identify VfM products.

Challenges in delivering VfM: Addressing hurdles faced by the financial industry in balancing profitability with delivering VfM for investors.

Building trust through industry standards: Promoting best practices within the financial sector to boost confidence and foster long-term retail participation.

13:10 – 14:10 | Lunch

14:10 – 14:30 | Keynote Speech | Combating Fraud and Scams: The Role of Financial Literacy and Collective Redress

The EU’s role in improving investor education and financial literacy across member states, with a focus on preventing fraud and scams.

Challenges and opportunities in promoting investor education at the EU level, particularly in addressing the risks posed by fraud and scams in the digital economy.

How investor education and financial literacy are critical components of retail investor protection and consumer empowerment, helping to safeguard against scams and fraud.

The role of the EU in supporting collective redress mechanisms to help defrauded investors seek justice and strengthen consumer protection.

14:30 – 15:00 | Fireside Chat | Protecting Retail Investors in the Age of Fraud and Scams

This fireside chat will explore the protection of retail investors, focusing on fraud prevention, scam protection, and the role of investor education. Topics will include how financial literacy can prevent fraud, and collective redress mechanisms as a way to seek justice for defrauded investors.

15:00 – 15:15 | Closing Remarks | Towards a Savings and Investment Union

Summarising outcomes from the discussions.

Recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders on retail participation and delivering value for money.

Speakers

Maria Luís Albuquerque

Commissioner, DG FISMA, European Commission

Andrea Beltramello

Head of Unit for the Capital Markets Union, DG FISMA, European Commission

Jella Benner-Heinacher

President, BETTER FINANCE

Ben Granjé

Chairman, VFB (Vlaamse Federatie van Beleggingsclubs en Beleggers)

Eero Heinäluoma

Member of the European Parliament, ECON Committee Member

Petra Hielkema

Chair, EIOPA – European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority

Karel Lannoo

CEO, CEPS (Centre for European Policy Studies)

Aleksandra Mączyńska

Managing Director, BETTER FINANCE

Verena Ross

Chair, ESMA – European Securities and Markets Authority

…more speakers will be announced in due time.

To attend the conference, please register via the form below. We look forward to welcoming you to Brussels as we explore how we can shape a more inclusive and robust Savings and Investment Union!

Make sure to use the buttons below the registration form to add the event to your calendar.