New report calls for action to be taken to revive the Capital Markets Union project
New report calls for action to be taken to revive the Capital Markets Union project
This report analyses the progress made in recent years by European households in allocating more of their financial wealth to capital market instruments (pension plans, life insurance, investment funds, debt securities and listed shares) and less in cash and bank deposits. It also includes policy recommendations on improving retail participation in capital markets, including for the Retail Investment Strategy currently under discussion.
Some key findings include:
However, European supervisors’ proposed technical standards threaten the success of the new regime
Today’s European Parliament vote concludes the MiFID/R review process
IZFiA (Izba Zarzadzajacych Funduszami i Aktywami) has just joined EFAMA, the Brussels-based trade body representing the European investment management industry.
In our latest International Quarterly Statistical Release, we show the following main developments in the worldwide investment fund industry:
Net assets of worldwide investment funds decreased by 0.2% in euro terms.
The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) has promoted transparency in sustainable finance, however its use by market participants as a de facto ESG labelling regime has stretched it beyond its original intentions and not always been helpful. The current European Commission review needs to address how SFDR can provide clearer, more meaningful information for retail investors, promote transition finance, and align well with other relevant legislation.
Review of SFDR is an opportunity to improve transparency for investors
EFAMA welcomes EIOPA’s consultation and the opportunity to share our views on EIOPA’s recommendations to develop an EU single market for personal pensions.
EFAMA supports the conclusions of EIOPA’s impact assessment:
• The standardization of key elements of a PEPP - as proposed by EIOPA in its advice - with space to accommodate the specificities of Member States, is the best policy option.
• It would be difficult to achieve full standardization via harmonization because this would require bringing all national regulations on PPPs to one level.
EFAMA fully supports the aim of eliminating tax abuse enshrined in the draft Anti-Tax Avoidance (ATA) Directive which the European Commission published on 28 January 2016. EFAMA is the representative association for the European investment management industry. EFAMA represents through its 26 member associations and 61 corporate members EUR 21 trillion in assets under management of which EUR 12.6 trillion managed by 56,000 investment funds at end 2015.
Importance of Responsible Investment
EFAMA welcomes the opportunity to respond to the European Commission’s Green Paper on retail financial services. Widening the opportunities for European citizens to save and invest will facilitate better outcomes both for savers and the wider European economy.
EFAMA fully shares the goals of a Single Market for retail financial services in the EU, i.e.:
1. Promoting an EU-wide market in retail financial services that can facilitate cross-border business and consumer choice.
EFAMA welcomes the decision of the Commission to review the prospectus regime with the objective to make it easier and simpler for companies generally and in particular SMEs in Europe to access capital markets, to provide all types of issuers with further simplification and flexibity and to ensure adequate information for investors.
Discover the 6 reasons why your organisation should become a member of EFAMA.
Our members enjoy significant benefits including the opportunity to shape the industry positions, get first-hand access to regulatory and political intelligence, engage with industry peers and policymakers, and take part in EFAMA events.
Our three membership categories cater to the wide range of organisations that make up and support the investment management industry in Europe.