Sector

Fund managers often actively adjust their portfolios to achieve more favourable outcomes in Morningstar comparisons, according to researchers from Harvard and MIT. This strategy is said to lead to higher star ratings, enabling funds to justify higher fees, potentially at the expense of investor returns.

With the acquisition of Axa Investment Managers by the French banking group BNP Paribas, the European asset management sector strengthens its position against “the Americans”. However, more is needed to halt the shift of managed assets from Europe to the United States.

Although no progress has been made this year towards a European Capital Markets Union, William De Vijlder, former Chief Economist at BNP Paribas, remains cautiously optimistic about building a stronger financial Europe. According to him, four groundbreaking reports from the past year point the way forward.

William De Vijlder (64) retired this autumn as the chief economist of BNP Paribas. In a farewell interview, he reflects on four decades of economic analysis. ‘Everything is even more interconnected than I once thought, which makes it incredibly fascinating.’

In Belgium, less than 10 percent of the 410 members of the CFA Society are women. ‘Bitterly few,’ concludes Maud Reinalter, CIO of Belfius Asset Management. When a woman applies for a fund manager position, 200 percent of the profile matches. A male candidate applies when he meets only 80 percent of the requirements.

Transcript of the interview with Esma Chair Verena Ross.

Unlike in the United States and Australia, greenwashing in Europe’s financial sector remains largely unpunished, even though existing legislation allows national regulators to take action against firms that mislead investors.

Amid a surge in global wealth, Luxembourg is bolstering its efforts to retain its edge over Ireland as the premier European hub for American asset distribution. The country’s recent strategic push, highlighted by high-profile events in Boston and New York, aims to capitalise on the surge in alternative financing strategies.

Luxembourg bankers’ association ABBL on Friday said the sector is ready to accommodate clients affected by ING Luxembourg’s recent decision to cease its retail banking services. This strategic withdrawal has left thousands of customers in a state of uncertainty, prompting a response from the ABBL and other local retail banks to ensure a smooth transition for impacted clients.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the financial landscape with promises of efficiency, innovation, and superior decision-making capabilities. However, as the European Securities and Markets Authority (Esma) warned this week, the integration of AI in investment services comes with significant risks. Like a double-edged sword, AI’s greatest strengths can become its most dangerous liabilities if not handled with care.