The last five years have been a very active period for investment portfolios. The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine had a significant impact on asset levels in TFIs. Major market players have seen declines of up to a quarter of their portfolio value.

The last year stood in contrast to the early 20s. There was a very significant rebound in the value of assets under management of TFIs in Poland. Asset growth reached PLN 51bn (20% year-on-year, total AuM reached PLN 320bn). In the first quarter of 2024, this trend continues (AuM of PLN 339mn at the end of March ‘24).

Recent years have also seen a significant increase in the importance and market penetration of alternative strategies to mutual funds. The increasing number of cryptocurrency brokers and social-trading or multi-product digital platforms are winning more clients.

Banks are still in a privileged position with their high market penetration, client knowledge and established investment product distribution models. Accumulated capital, both financial and intellectual, human and digital, should not be an excuse to slow down. The democratisation of technology, clear market trends and a dramatic generational shift should be a very strong trigger to start discussing, among other things, how to build lasting relationships with clients while standing out among innovative digital competitors? What tactics will guarantee success in uncertain and turbulent times? We will try to answer these and other questions during the discussion at the European Financial Congress.