Spotlight on Retail Investors – Episode 1: Insights from Belgium
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- 3 minuten om te lezen
Europe is home to millions of potential investors, each with different habits, preferences, and levels of market engagement. From country to country, the approach to investing varies, shaped by cultural attitudes, regulatory frameworks, and access to tools and information.
EuroCTP, in collaboration with Better Finance, has launched an initiative to meet investors across Europe to collect their experiences on investing as well as to raise awareness of the benefits of the consolidated tape among retail investors.
The Consolidated Tape will advance Europe’s Savings and Investments Union by giving retail investors free, real-time market data and empowering millions of Europeans to participate confidently in capital markets, boosting transparency and trust in equities and ETF markets.
This first episode offers a Belgian perspective through the experience of Krisja, an advisor to retail investors and an investor herself. In the interview, she shares her background, her views on Belgium’s relationship with the stock markets, and what could make investing easier for retail investors.
Can you tell us about your background with investing?
“I’ve been investing since I was 10. My parents—both bankers—taught us to use our allowance to buy shares in the companies behind our favourite toys. If I loved Lego, they’d help me pick up the right stock. That simple lesson made investing part of my life.”
Are there any parts of the investing process you find confusing or intimidating?
‘Working in a retail environment with everyday families, most people learn investing through trial and error because they never come into contact with it in school. A big part of my job is teaching, because they’re clueless about where to start.
What do you see as the main barriers for people starting to invest in Belgium?
In Belgium, savings accounts dominate, so we show there are better long-term alternatives. Time is another factor, investing in shares means keeping up with markets, and most people don’t have that time.’
What platforms, apps, or tools do you currently use for investing?
“I use a combination of platforms because there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Some offer low costs but limited features, they expect you to know exactly what you want down to the ISIN code. While others focus on education and accessibility. That’s why I switch depending on my needs and readiness to place an order.”
‘Do you have access to real-time data, and if so, is it for free?
Free real-time market data simply doesn’t exist in Belgium. Access always comes at a cost, and pricing varies depending on whether the data is near real-time or fully real-time.’
How could you use or benefit from having access the consolidated tape?
“More information is always better, especially real-time data. It’s essential for giving clients the best advice, like choosing the right order type. Without it, you’re working with a delay, and that matters.
Best execution is the biggest black box for retail investors. People ask what it means, and beyond saying it’s the best way for their orders to be executed, there’s little more I can explain. Even as an advanced investor, it’s hard to see what’s behind.”
What do you think could be improved to make investing more appealing or easier for new investors?
“Education is key, and it should start earlier. Fear of the unknown keeps most people away from investing. Many only start because someone they trust says it’s safe. A good advisor or platform that guides you makes a big difference. Some people simply aren’t interested in economics, which is why banks often become the main source of information.”
Krisja’s story highlights the need for better financial education, accessible tools and data. Initiatives like the European consolidated tape could help bridge these gaps offering real-time, free market data, empowering retail investors to make informed decisions.