Date: 28 March 2025 | Time: 09:00 – 14:45 | 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.

🔹Aleksandra Mączyńska, Managing Director, BETTER FINANCE

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

🔹Maria Luís Albuquerque, European Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union, European Commission

• 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 – 11:30 | Panel 1 | Enhancing Retail Participation in the EU Financial Markets

Moderator: Jella Benner-Heinacher, President, BETTER FINANCE

🔹Andrea Beltramello, Head of Unit for the Capital Markets Union, DG FISMA, European Commission
🔹Ben Granjé, Chairman, VFB
🔹Nikolaj Kosakewitsch, President, Nasdaq Copenhagen
🔹Sebastian Külps, Head of Business Development, Germany & Northern Europe, Vanguard Europe
🔹Florian Prucker, Founder, Co-CEO, Scalable Capital

• 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.

11:30 – 11:50 | Keynote Speech | Delivering Value for Money in EU Financial Markets

🔹Eero Heinäluoma, Member of the European Parliament, ECON Committee Member

• 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.

11:50 – 13:00 | Coffee, Light Lunch and Networking

13:00 – 14:30 | Panel 2 | Delivering Value for Money in EU Financial Markets

Moderator: Karel Lannoo, CEO, CEPS (Centre for European Policy Studies)

🔹Matthias Baccino, Markets Group Lead – Trade Republic
🔹Petra Hielkema, Chair, EIOPA – European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority
🔹Verena Ross, Chair, ESMA – European Securities and Markets Authority
🔹Prof. Emanuele Carluccio, Chair, EFPA – European Financial Planning Association
🔹Delphine de Chaisemartin, Deputy CEO, AFG – The French Asset Management Association

• 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.

14:30 – 14:45 | Closing Remarks | Towards a Savings and Investment Union

🔹Jella Benner-Heinacher, President, BETTER FINANCE

• Summarising outcomes from the discussions.
• Recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders on retail participation and delivering value for money.

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.