Total investment fund assets have increased by 95 percent since 2007, equivalent to a compound annual growth rate of 7 percent, according to The European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA).
The EFAMA announced the findings at its Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM also marked the end of a first year under the mandate of EFAMA president, William Nott.
During this period, European investment funds assets has risen to €15 trillion.
William Nott, president of EFAMA, said: “This is a great achievement for our industry. I am certain that, despite challenges brought about by financial markets volatility, UCITS and alternative investment funds (AIFs) will remain leading savings vehicles as they provide the risk diversification, potential for return and investor protection.”
He added: “One of the key strengths of our industry is the speed with which we anticipate and respond to challenges and opportunities. And that is a good thing, because the European market provides major opportunities for all asset managers across Europe.”
“As a strong and united pan European trade association, EFAMA’s main task over the next few years is to help bring about transformative change in the asset management industry, so consumers can save for their futures with trusted, easily accessible, value for money, socially and environmentally responsible investment options.”
During the AGM, William Nott pointed to regulatory files such as the Capital Markets Union project and The Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products as key priorities for the Association.
It was also announced Peter De Proft, director general, who has headed the industry body for the past eleven years, will step down in June 2019.
De Proft will remain an honorary director general to the association and will have an advisory function to the new director general during the transition period after an appointment has been made.
Commenting on his departure, De Proft commented: “Having led EFAMA during a period of significant change, I feel proud to say that asset management has evolved tremendously as an industry since the financial crisis, and has reached an impressive level of maturity, with a reiterated focus on the end investor.”
He added: “Serving this association and working with such committed colleagues has been a great privilege. I am proud of what we have created and achieved together: an open dialogue with all European institutions and organisations, which will allow for constructive regulation to be implemented in the years to come.”
William Nott, president of EFAMA, said: “EFAMA has gone from strength to strength under Peter De Proft’s leadership, and he will be greatly missed by the EFAMA secretariat and the 28 country associations, 62 corporate and 24 associate members whom he has faithfully served and represented for the last eleven years.”
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