Building a Capital Markets Union (CMU) serving the needs of European citizens and businesses is as ambitious as it is essential: the effort will enable pensioners and savers to share in the upside of Europe’s economic recovery. In the process, European capital markets also become more efficient and better integrated. This long-term vision is key to financing European innovation and to supporting the transition towards a more sustainable economy.

Increasing retail investors’ participation in capital markets is an essential component for building an effective CMU. EFAMA relentlessly advocates for effective disclosure rules and consumer empowerment. 
 

EFAMA's 16th edition of its ‘Asset Management in Europe’ report provides an in-depth analysis of recent trends in the European asset management industry. It highlights the growth of retail and passive investing, and how asset managers finance the European economy. In addition to data on assets under management in investment funds and discretionary mandates, industry clients, asset allocation and industry organisation, this report addresses key industry questions, including: 
 

• What are the winning retail strategies for fund managers?
• What opportunities does increasing life expectancy present for asset managers?
• How strong is the demand from European insurers for private assets strategies?
• What approaches do asset managers take when investing in private markets?

EFAMA’s publication lays out the asset management sector’s policy priorities for the next five years, building on the in-depth expertise of our members. This includes practical recommendations for keeping Europe competitive and developing deeper, more integrated and liquid capital markets in Europe.   

Despite the growing interest and importance of sustainable investing, most EU citizens often find it difficult to navigate this relatively new investment landscape.

EFAMA has published a brochure in which we explore what sustainable investing is; what investment strategies are available; what impact you can have as on investor; what questions you should be asking your self and your financial advisor; and how to get started.

Financial literacy is essential for making sound decisions when managing savings. If European citizens do not understand financial concepts such as risk diversification, compound interest and real rate of return, they won’t know where to start or what to ask should they wish to invest their savings. A lack of sufficient financial literacy in most European countries helps explain why the vast majority of households don’t directly invest any of their savings in the capital markets.

EFAMA's Investor Education Platform has now produced an animated brochure titled ‘Investing for a better future – 5 tips to do more with your savings’ to help get people started with investing. It has been translated into several European languages.

With European government no longer able to provide financial security to support citizens in later years, saving for retirement is key. Individuals need to save enough for retirement to ensure adequate income in old age.

EFAMA helps by raising awareness of the importance of saving for retirement and encouraging European authorities to further modernise relevant EU legislation. This includes strengthening competition in the occupational and personal pension markets, and fostering cross-border activities of pension providers and asset managers. Such legislation should seek to create economies of scale, to benefit savers. 

EFAMA is a co-initiator of the European Retirement Week. 

Building a Capital Markets Union (CMU) serving the needs of European citizens and businesses is as ambitious as it is essential: the effort will enable pensioners and savers to share in the upside of Europe’s economic recovery. In the process, European capital markets also become more efficient and better integrated. This long-term vision is key to financing European innovation and to supporting the transition towards a more sustainable economy.

Increasing retail investors’ participation in capital markets is an essential component for building an effective CMU. EFAMA relentlessly advocates for effective disclosure rules and consumer empowerment.