Berlin – November 12, 2026 -- Some 52 percent of respondents say they know little or nothing about what happens on the stock market, according to a Bankenverband survey cited as the Economic Council of the CDU convened its financial market retreat in Berlin.
Only 39 percent of working-age people have seriously addressed retirement provision
The same Bankenverband study found that just 39 percent of people of working age have seriously engaged with their retirement planning. Wolfgang Steiger, secretary general of the Economic Council, says better financial education is essential to reduce reluctance toward capital markets, enable informed investment decisions and strengthen individual retirement provision.
Steiger argues that Germany cannot meet upcoming challenges without a high-performing financial market. He names financing of economic growth, economic resilience, private pensions and digital innovation as the areas where the financial sector carries a key role in returning to a sustainable growth path.
EIB, EBA, Bundesbank and finance ministry representatives address the retreat
Speakers include Nicola Beer, vice president of the European Investment Bank (EIB), and François-Louis Michaud, chair of the European Banking Authority (EBA). Prof. Jens Südekum, personal commissioner of the Federal Finance Minister for macroeconomic development, and Michael Theurer, member of the Deutsche Bundesbank executive board, are also on the program.
Private pension reform aims for higher returns, lower costs and simpler products
Reform of private retirement provision is the second main topic. Discussion centers on making private pension products more profitable, cheaper and easier to use.
The agenda also covers challenges for Germany as an investment location, new investment fields amid geopolitical change, technological change in the financial sector and the international competitiveness of the European financial center.