Our Research & Policy Aim

As a public interest organisation, BETTER FINANCE is committed to advancing the interests of individual investors and users of financial services throughout the European Union.

Our Goal

Our goal is to promote transparency, long-term value, and consumer protection in financial markets, ensuring that retail investors have a strong voice in policy discussions.

Our Approach

Working collaboratively with our member organisations, BETTER FINANCE undertakes rigorous analysis and research, engages in stakeholder consultations, and solicits expert contributions, resulting in well-informed, data-driven policy recommendations.

This approach ensures that EU financial regulations align with the interests of European citizens.

Explore Our Full Library of Publications

Withholding taxes on dividends in the European Union: An uphill battle for individual shareholders

A recent survey conducted by BETTER FINANCE and DSW among 3000 investors across the EU found that withholding tax (WHT) refund procedures are cumbersome and costly, making it difficult or ...

Ferrovial Shareholders Backed by BETTER FINANCE and WFI in Approving Merger and Domicile Shift within the EU

On Thursday 13 April Ferrovial, the Spanish construction group, announced that its shareholders have approved a plan to relocate its holding company to the Netherlands through a reverse merger with ...

BETTER FINANCE Answer to the EC open feedback on the review of the Listing Act

BETTER FINANCE response to the European Commission's request for feedback on the review of the Listing Act - making public capital markets more attractive for EU companies and facilitating access ...

BETTER FINANCE joins forces in collective redress for individual Airbus investors

BETTER FINANCE, The European Federation of Investors and Financial Services Users, joins forces with Stichting Investor Loss Compensation (SILC), assisting Airbus shareholders recover losses resulting from Airbus’ involvement in bribery ...

Hampered by fragmented and costly intermediated processes, less than half of European individual shareholders were able to exercise their voting rights at AGMs in 2022

For a third year in a row, a study by BETTER FINANCE and DSW still points to considerable barriers to shareholder engagement as the Shareholder Rights Directive II fails to ...

Barriers to shareholder engagement | SRD II  Revisited (AGM season 2022)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Long-term investor engagement and sustainable corporate governance hampered by antiquated, fragmented and costly processes in the hands of financial intermediaries Despite the great importance the EU attaches to ...

BETTER FINANCE response to ESMA Call for Evidence on implementation of the Shareholder Rights Directive (SRD II)

BETTER FINANCE answer ESMA Call for Evidence with regards information from market participants and map the state of play with regards to the implementation of the SRD2/SRD II provisions on ...

BETTER FINANCE Position Paper on the EU Retail Investment Strategy (executive summary)

The European Federation of investors and Financial Services Users fully supports the clear stated objectives of the European Union’s very welcome “Retail Investor Strategy”. Before the European Commission's proposal is ...

Compensation for Wirecard Investors

Dutch foundation to enable assertion of claims against EY Deutschland and EY Global – at no cost and risk-free. Amsterdam | Düsseldorf | Frankfurt, 06 April 2022 – Wirecard AG’s ...

Leveling the SPACs Playing Field: Investors Call for More Transparency and Better Investor Protection

Although SPACs - Special Purpose Acquisition Companies - have existed for quite some time, their sudden popularity over the last few years has drawn the attention of investors and regulators ...

For timely updates on our advocacy and regulatory positions, consult our press releases