Broadridge Financial Literacy
Symposium: Growing a retail investor
culture in Europe

17 December, 2025 | Brussels, Belgium

Key takeaways

Financial literacy is a cornerstone of empowering Europe’s citizens to make well-informed investment decisions.

• Eurobarometer data show that EU citizens score well below US citizens on financial literacy tests, with only 18 percent of EU citizens deemed to be highly financially literate.
• Low levels of financial literacy correlate with low participation in financial markets. European households have €11 trillion sitting in bank deposits that earn too little interest to meet retirement needs and leave the European economy starved for investment capital needed to fuel growth.
• Asset managers and policymakers are working to increase financial literacy through a broad series of innovative initiatives, including market reforms and simplifying fund communications.

The Broadridge Financial Literacy Symposium in Brussels brought together senior policymakers, regulators and industry leaders to confront one of Europe’s most urgent financial challenges: transforming a continent of savers into a continent of informed investors. Throughout a day of spirited conversation, participants delivered the powerful message that addressing the financial literacy gap will enable Europeans to make better long-term investments. Achieving that goal will require coordinated action from asset managers, intermediaries, government, and educators.

The first step toward better financial outcomes in Europe is getting households to regard investing as a necessary skill, and accordingly to move assets from bank savings accounts into long-term investments. To accomplish that goal, everyone will have to play a role. Regulators will have to create frameworks that encourage risk-taking by making European households feel confident and safe when they invest. Asset managers and intermediaries will have to provide products, advice and communications designed specifically to encourage investment and build trust among retail investors.

Regulators can cultivate a European investment culture while still maintaining safeguards that protect retail investors. National governments like Ireland are leading the charge. The EU is coordinating best practices across member states through the EU Financial Literacy Strategy. ESMA is working to promote investor trust and protection, knowing that enhanced financial literacy can reduce the supervisory burden while also lowering risk to investors.

Keynote Conversation with Jean-Paul Servais

“Financial literacy helps retail investors take more and better educated risks.” Europe needs regulations that encourage retail investors to take more risks—as long as those risks are appropriate, diversified and well understood. Through a combination of strong supervision, clearer communications and practical education, coordinated public- private efforts that meet younger generations where they are on screens and social media platforms can demystify markets and help establish a healthy European retail investment culture.

Jean-Paul Servais, Chair at International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) - Chairman of the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) in conversation with Michael Pedroni, CEO, Highland Global Advisors.