BUX and BlackRock join forces to launch ETF savings plans in Europe that offer ETF portfolio trades with iShares ETFs

• Savers in eight countries can become investors by building their own portfolios of iShares ETFs in a savings plan on the BUX app, that they can access anywhere and whenever they need.
• The ETF savings plan offering will be launched in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Austria and Ireland.
• BUX commissioned a survey of 5000 people across five markets in Europe, finding that saving for the long term is the key motivation to invest.
• The Netherlands is most focused on saving long term (15%), with 41% of respondents currently investing or exploring options to invest within the next six months.
• 15% of Italian investors prioritise saving to provide security for family, with a close secondary investment focus on the long term (14%).
• Investors in Germany are most focused on saving for the long term (18%), with the largest number of professional investors (7%).

Amsterdam, 31 January 2023 - BUX, one of Europe’s fastest growing neobrokers, and BlackRock, one of the world’s leading providers of investments that aims to help more and more people experience financial well-being, today announce an ETF savings plan offering that delivers ETF portfolio trades in Europe, using iShares ETFs. With more than 1 million users, BUX is one of Europe’s leading online brokers.

BUX allows investors to build individual portfolios with iShares ETFs that offer broad asset allocation into bonds and stocks across global markets. Investors can set up a monthly BUX Savings Plan in just three clicks that matches their personal interests and investing preferences. Investors can build their own savings plan by choosing from different iShares ETFs, including stocks, bonds, themes, sectors, factors and sustainable ETFs.

With minimum investments of €10 per ETF per month, and €1 commission fee per portfolio trade, BUX ETF savings plans can help contribute to a stable financial future and help investors build knowledge of financial markets and diversification to inform their future investment decisions.

Lack of knowledge is the biggest barrier to investing

According to a survey commissioned by BUX, 42% of respondents indicated that ‘a lack of knowledge’ as well as 40% indicating that they ‘don’t know where to start’ as leading reasons not to invest. Even though long-term investing can play an important role in building a stable financial future, and 39% of respondents indicated that saving for the long term was a leading motivation to invest, the survey indicated that a large portion of the surveyed European population is not confident in making investments.

Yorick Naeff, CEO, BUX

“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, a renowned expert in financial markets and products, 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. Together, BUX and BlackRock can make a real impact on how Europeans invest and approach their financial future.”

Christian Bimueller, Head of Digital Distribution Continental Europe, BlackRock

“When investing is made cost efficient and accessible, millions of investors turn to iShares ETFs as tools to build investment portfolios and achieve financial well-being. 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.”

The Netherlands

The primary motivation for investing in the Netherlands is saving for the long term. 13% of investors are also focused on earning a passive income. Dutch investors are held back by a lack of knowledge, with 16% citing not knowing enough about investing to begin. 40% of Dutch investors plan on investing in the future (more than 12 months from now), with 24% currently investing already.

Italy

15% of investors in Italy invest to provide future security for family, with saving for the long term also a priority (13%). The main reason for Italian investors not to invest is a lack of money, with a lack of knowledge about investing also being a concern. In Italy, 43% plan to invest more than 12 months from now, and only 21% are currently investing. Italy has the highest number of respondents claiming to have no experience, at 49%.

Germany

According to the research, 18% of the sample German investors, are focused on saving for the long term. 13% of those who are not investing are concerned they do not have enough knowledge, and also state that they do not know where to start (12%). 27% of German investors are currently investing, and 19% actively exploring options to invest within 6 months.

The BUX savings plans with iShares ETFs will be available in the BUX app from January 31 across all markets where BUX is available.

-ENDS-

Note to editors

About BUX

With more than 1 million users, BUX is on a clear path to becoming Europe's leading neobroker. With its intuitive investment app, BUX makes investing easier and more affordable for everyone. With BUX, investors can invest in fractional shares, ETFs and cryptocurrencies from 2019. Investing can also be put on autopilot through the BUX Savings Plan. BUX is currently available in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, and Ireland. The fintech scale-up is headquartered in Amsterdam and is backed by some of the most prominent international venture capital firms.

About BlackRock

BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate

About iShares

iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1300+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and $2.91 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2022, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.

About the survey

Data based on a survey conducted between May 2022 and June 2022 by Kantar and commissioned by BUX across 5000 respondents in five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain).

Risk Warnings

Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of current or future results and should not be the sole factor of consideration when selecting a product or strategy. Changes in the rates of exchange between currencies may cause the value of investments to diminish or increase. Fluctuation may be particularly marked in the case of a higher volatility fund and the value of an investment may fall suddenly and substantially. Levels and basis of taxation may change from time to time.

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Italy

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For information on investor rights and how to raise complaints please go to https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/investor-right available in Italian.

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