BlackRock has partnered with digital wealth platform Bux to launch ETF savings plans across eight European countries.
Following the deal, investors will be able to purchase iShares ETFs via a Bux saving platform with a minimum investment of €10 a month and a €1 commission fee per trade.
The savings plans will be available to investors in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Austria and Ireland.
ETF savings plans have grown in popularity over the past couple of years, particularly in Germany where BlackRock predicts the number of investors with a plan to hit 20 million by 2026.
Furthermore, the investment volume invested into ETFs by retail investors is expected to quadruple to around €350bn by the same year.
A survey conducted by PwC last year found that online platforms are set to be the biggest growth drivers of ETFs in Europe over the next three years.
The partnership will give Bux investors will have access to iShares ETFs including stocks, bonds, themes, sectors, factors and sustainable ETFs.
According to Bux, it has one million users across Europe.
The neobroker, which commissioned a survey of 5,000 people across five European markets, said saving for the long-term is the key motivation to invest.
When it comes to reasons not to invest, 42% said a lack of knowledge was the main barrier, followed by 40% who said they do not know where to start.
Christian Bimueller, head of digital distribution continental Europe at BlackRock, said: “We are delighted to be working with Bux, this partnership creates an efficient way for investors across Europe to reach the benefits of ETFs and investing in global markets in a simple, accessible and cost-efficient format.”
Yorick Naeff, CEO of Bux, added: “The appetite to start investing is there, but the knowledge is lacking and becomes a blocker for people who want to begin investing but don’t have any experience.
“By joining forces with Blackrock we have created a good solution for clients that are overwhelmed by the choice of products and don’t know how and when to start investing.”
Demand for savings plans has remained strong following the COVID-19 pandemic despite choppy markets over the past 12 months.
Earlier this month, Scalable Capital said it reached one million monthly ETF and stocks and saving plans amid booming retail demand.
Founded in 2014, Scalable is active in Germany, Austria, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK and has €10bn on its platform.
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