Across Europe, millions of citizens remain hesitant to save and invest. Their scepticism is mostly rooted in low financial literacy, limited confidence in financial institutions, and persistent concerns about fairness, transparency, and mis-selling. Today, as digital finance, finfluencers, AI-driven financial content, and increasingly complex products become the norm, the gap between financial innovation and citizens’ understanding continues to widen.

Bridging this gap requires investor education

Improving financial literacy, restoring trust in markets, and guaranteeing that retail investors receive fair, value-for-money outcomes are crucial steps. These efforts are vital for increasing long-term savings, encouraging retail participation in capital markets, and advancing the EU’s wider goals under the Savings & Investment Union.

To initiate a discussion on this matter, BETTER FINANCE is organising an online webinar:

Investor Education & Trust: Reconnecting European Citizens with Finance and Capital Markets

Date: 18 March 2026 | Time: 09:30 – 11:30 | Location: Online

The online webinar will analyse why confidence in the financial sector remains fragile. The event will also investigate how independent, evidence-based investor education can serve as a foundational element of a more inclusive, resilient, and citizen-centric European financial system.

The discussion will focus on real-world barriers, behavioural challenges, regulatory responsibilities, and practical solutions to ensure that investor education initiatives are credible, effective, and genuinely aligned with the interests of retail investors.

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Programme

09:30 – 09: 40 | Welcome & Introduction

Investor Education as a Public Interest Objective

09:40 – 10:00 | Keynote Speech

Financial Literacy, Trust and Outcomes: International Evidence

10:00 – 11:15 | High-Level Round-table Discussion

Main Barriers and Practical Solutions to Investor Education in Europe

11:15 – 11:25 | Interactive Q&A with Participants

11:25 – 11:30 | Conclusions & Policy Takeaways

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Register for the event using the form below. You will receive a Zoom link a few days before the conference.