Record Year for Fund Industry: More Germans Invest in Securities

The German fund industry has experienced a record year, with more people investing in securities, particularly in equity and bond ETFs. According to the industry association BVI, the total assets managed by fund companies in Germany reached a new high of 4.85 billion euros in 2025, an increase of 8.5% compared to the previous year.

Key Highlights

The German fund industry has experienced a record year for the third time in a row
Total assets managed by fund companies in Germany reached 4.85 billion euros in 2025
Equity and bond ETFs were particularly popular, with 57 billion euros invested in these products
The number of depots in Germany has increased to 37 million, with 6 million added in the last two years
The BVI expects the trend to continue, with more people recognizing the importance of securities for building wealth and retirement savings
The industry is calling for more openness to financial markets in the reform of the pension system
Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz has announced a "paradigm shift" in German pension policy, with a greater emphasis on private and occupational pension provision

Background

The German fund industry has been growing steadily in recent years, with more people investing in securities as a way to build wealth and save for retirement. According to a survey by the Postbank, the number of people investing in stocks and funds has increased from 27% in 2023 to 34% in 2025. This trend is reflected in the record year for the fund industry, with more people investing in equity and bond ETFs. The BVI has reported that the total assets managed by fund companies in Germany reached a new high of 4.85 billion euros in 2025, an increase of 8.5% compared to the previous year. This growth is driven by the increasing popularity of ETFs, which offer a low-cost and flexible way to invest in a range of assets. As reported by t-online, the number of depots in Germany has increased to 37 million, with 6 million added in the last two years.

The growth of the fund industry is also driven by the increasing awareness of the importance of retirement savings. As noted by lomazoma, more Germans are recognizing the need to save for retirement, and are turning to funds and ETFs as a way to do so. The BVI has called for more openness to financial markets in the reform of the pension system, arguing that this will help to reduce the dependence on tax subsidies and ensure a more sustainable retirement system. According to Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz, the government plans to introduce a "paradigm shift" in German pension policy, with a greater emphasis on private and occupational pension provision.

Analysis

The growth of the fund industry in Germany is a significant trend, with more people investing in securities as a way to build wealth and save for retirement. As reported by MSN, the increasing popularity of ETFs is driven by their low costs and flexibility. However, the industry is also facing challenges, including the need for more transparency and regulation. The BVI has called for more openness to financial markets in the reform of the pension system, arguing that this will help to reduce the dependence on tax subsidies and ensure a more sustainable retirement system. As noted by t-online, the government plans to introduce a "paradigm shift" in German pension policy, with a greater emphasis on private and occupational pension provision.

The implications of this trend are significant, with more people investing in securities and taking control of their retirement savings. As reported by lomazoma, this trend is driven by the increasing awareness of the importance of retirement savings, and the need for more sustainable and secure pension systems. However, there are also risks associated with this trend, including the potential for market volatility and the need for more regulation and oversight. The BVI has called for more transparency and regulation in the industry, arguing that this will help to protect investors and ensure a more stable and secure retirement system.

What's Next

The future of the fund industry in Germany is likely to be shaped by a range of factors, including the ongoing trend towards greater investment in securities and the need for more sustainable and secure pension systems. As reported by Tagesschau, the industry is expected to continue to grow, with more people investing in ETFs and other securities. However, there are also challenges ahead, including the need for more regulation and oversight, and the potential for market volatility. The BVI has called for more transparency and regulation in the industry, arguing that this will help to protect investors and ensure a more stable and secure retirement system. As noted by t-online, the government plans to introduce a "paradigm shift" in German pension policy, with a greater emphasis on private and occupational pension provision.