Investing in Europe’s future

We seek insights into the main enablers and obstacles along people’s financial journeys. In France, 71% of people view savings as important for their financial security, but only 37% think that investing can provide financial peace of mind, according to a survey carried out by OpinionWay for BlackRock.² The complexity of financial products and the lack of financial knowledge were cited among top barriers to investing. We found that simplicity and access are crucial for turning savers into investors: 8 out of 10 French people would be more likely to invest if financial solutions were easier to understand, and 7 out of 10 are more attracted to investments that can be made online.

In France, we partner with the country’s leading online bank, which is also a popular financial news platform, to make investing more approachable. Together, we launched the cheapest retirement solution on the market,⁴ reducing costs and ensuring fully transparent fees. We also support financial literacy to demystify investing, notably among underserved groups such as youth and women. Working with this bank, we helped create compelling educational materials, including dozens of articles and videos explaining basic investment concepts to help first-time retail investors understand the opportunities and risks presented by financial markets.

An exchange-traded fund (ETF) is more than just a collection of assets that trades on an exchange – it’s a versatile investment tool that has helped make investing simpler and more affordable. As Europe’s largest ETF provider, we offer Europeans greater access to investment opportunities. By incorporating ETFs within an investment strategy, investors can benefit from instant diversification. Another benefit of ETFs is their liquidity, which allows to buy and sell them anytime during market hours. They’re transparent, showing exactly what’s inside, and provide easy access to global markets. Plus, with lower costs compared to buying individual stocks or active mutual funds, ETFs help investors save on fees to maximize potential returns.

On behalf of our clients, we invested in Prysmian, the global leader in cabling solutions for the energy and telecom sectors, based in Milan. With over 150 years of experience and a dedicated team of more than 30,000 employees in more than 50 countries, Prysmian helps power entire cities and connects communities worldwide. Their expertise is crucial in tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges: energy transition and digitalization. Prysmian invests substantially in innovation across submarine and optical cables, data centers for AI, and renewable energy deployment. These efforts underpin the company's aspirations to offer cutting-edge solutions that can help decarbonize, electrify, and digitalize the world.