As announced in the Communication on the Savings and Investments Union (SIU)1, the European Commission aims to give European citizens broader access to capital markets and companies better financing options. This renewed policy agenda builds on the still incomplete Banking Union (BU) but also, crucially, succeeds and supersedes the largely unsuccessful Capital Market Union (CMU) agenda. It therefore foresees assessments and potential revisions of most of the European Union (EU) legislation governing the
Executive Summary By prioritising app-based onboarding, frictionless trading and low entry thresholds, neobrokers have broadened retail engagement, and especially among younger and first-time investors. They also expand access to asset classes and “modern” digital functionality. This ease of access can improve outcomes through lower explicit costs and, in some cases, revenue sharing; but it can
BETTER FINANCE has conducted a study to assess the investment landscape for Global South climate solution equities. This study shows that European retail investors are effectively locked out of investing in climate-solution companies across most of the Global South. Despite growing demand for sustainable and climate-aligned investments, the current retail investment system in France and
It is sometimes frustrating to report, every year, on something as unfailingly disappointing as the real return of European supplementary pensions. It is a feeling akin to that of a preacher in the desert. Then, someday, you read something from the European Commission which makes you hopeful: People need to be able to access safe,
Listing and delisting are the entry and exit doors of public equity markets, yet only the former has meaningfully shaped EU policymaking. Recent reforms — most notably the 2024 Listing Act — focused on easing IPOs and reducing issuers’ regulatory burdens as part of Europe’s shift toward more market-based financing, notably for SMEs. The 2025 Savings and Investments Union
Transition investing, or investing in emission-reducing activities, has not become obsolete in 2025. Global investment amounted to about $2.1 trillion in 2024, led by renewables, electric vehicles, and grids. China is now firmly in the lead; the United States is holding steady; the European Union dropped relative to 2023. However, the world is investing far
According to the definition adopted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), “Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of an objectively existing disease or disability” (World Health Organization, 1946). However, it appears that in addition to the three areas mentioned by the WHO, a fourth key
A BETTER FINANCE Focused Paper on Fractional Investing The rapid expansion of neobrokers across the European Union has fundamentally reshaped the retail investment landscape by introducing mobile-first, low-cost platforms characterised by streamlined access to financial markets. Central to this transformation is the advent of fractional investing, allowing individuals to acquire portions of securities for minimal
Executive Summary This report provides a comprehensive analysis of shareholder engagement and the transition of capital flows in Europe. Structured across five key chapters, each addressing critical aspects of shareholder engagement and transition strategies. Coordinated efforts from policymakers, professional investors, and corporate issuers to address existing barriers and promote effective transition investing are instrumental to
Research Report – BETTER FINANCE’s report, “Enhancing Financial Health and Wealth in the EU,” explores strategies to boost retail investor participation in the European Union’s capital markets, which remains limited despite the growing availability of financial tools and services. The report identifies three key pillars—financial education, personalised financial advice, and digital tools—as essential to addressing