High-Level Forum Report on Capital Markets Union Rightly Focuses on Potential of Retail Investment

Washington, DC; 10 June 2020—Patrice Bergé-Vincent, ICI Global managing director, issued the following statement in response to the release of the report from the High-Level Forum on the Capital Markets Union.

“The forum’s report will be a helpful guide to policymakers charting this road to recovery. Fostering more investment and capital flow into the European Union will be critical to the region’s short-term recovery and its long-term economic health. Global funds and their investors stand ready to further support this effort as important players in a modern and investor-focused pan-European capital market.

“The report rightly includes a focus on retail investors. Retail investors could play an important role in revitalizing and strengthening European economies and the next round of Capital Markets Union reforms should encourage this.

“As the report notes, in many cases simplification is the solution. Investor documents should be more digital and comprehensible. Additional private retirement savings should be encouraged through steps including financial education and auto-enrolment.

“As interest in sustainable investment grows, encouraging funds and fund investment also could provide additional support for EU goals in this area.”