About the industry

Key Facts about the asset management sector

The asset management sector is now considered the third pillar of the financial sector alongside banks and insurance companies.

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Why investment funds are important for the economy and society

A total of around 700 fund companies are active in the German market, ranging from independent fund boutique banking to subsidiaries of insurance companies. BVI's 117 members manage assets with a volume of some EUR 4 trillion and thus cover over 95 percent of the German market.

4000

billions of euros are managed by BVI members as trustees for their investors.

50000000

private and institutional investors invest directly or indirectly in funds

300000

jobs benefit from the fund industry

Role of the Fund Industry

FINANCING THE REAL ECONOMY

Investment funds are intermediaries. They bring together the money provided by millions of savers and institutional investors, and match it with the capital demands of companies and governments. They therefore enable growth and innovation.

Held by the European investment fund sector:

Jenoptik

jenoptik

21%

Zalando

zalando

18%

Mercedes Benz

mercedes benz

12%



As at May 2023; source: Morningstar

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BACKBONE OF PENSION PLANNING

Investment funds play a central role in pension planning: although people save for their retirement through insurance companies, pension schemes and employers, the money invested is mainly managed in investment funds. In addition, Germans save for retirement directly in funds (e.g. 'Riester'-pension).

Investments by insurance companies*: EUR 2,329 billion

car

34%

share of investment funds

Institutions providing for retirement: EUR 673 billion

pills

68%

share of investment funds

*Including property insurance and reinsurance companies, but not institutions for old-age provision.

Situation as at 30 June 2023
Source: Deutsche Bundesbank

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Sustainability

Fund industry plays a key role

The fund industry, as an important financial intermediary, plays a key role on the road to greater sustainability. Find out how dynamically interest in sustainable funds is growing in our quarterly market overview.

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fund market

Germany: The largest fund market in the EU

Germany is the largest fund market in the EU. The German market is also well ahead in terms of growth.

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Research

Our studies on funds

You are interested in our studies on funds? Our research highlights current aspects in detail.

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BVI's members self-regulation

mission statement

In this document, BVI's members define their tasks, values and goals. The mission statement also describes what distinguishes the fund companies from other financial service providers and what is special about their activities.

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Rules of conduct

BVI's members have committed themselves to voluntary standards of conduct since 2003. Thereby, they take special account of their trusteeship and their obligations towards investors.

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Responsible investing

Asset manager see it as part of their fiduciary duty to consider ecological and social criteria as well as criteria for good corporate governance (ESG criteria) in their investment processes.

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Member area

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