On 26 June 2025, we had the honour of welcoming EU Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque to Frankfurt School of Finance & Management for an inspiring discussion hosted by our Centre for European Transformation (CfET). Her visit sparked vibrant conversations with our community about Europe’s capital markets, innovation financing, and unlocking opportunities to address ongoing challenges such as our aging population.
A key focus was Europe’s “Savings and Investment Union.” Commissioner Albuquerque delivered a clear message: “We need to tackle the barriers that prevent the flows of savings into investments.”
She highlighted the critical role of pension reform and tax incentives, contrasting countries with funded pension systems and stronger capital markets against those relying mainly on pay-as-you-go models, like Germany.
Our students actively engaged with the Commissioner, posing insightful questions on the hurdles to European capital market integration, the role of private capital in funding Europe’s green, digital, and defence transitions, and how the Savings and Investment Union can directly benefit young people. Accessibility and sustainability were central themes, with discussions on impact investing, inflation challenges, and personal career advice – demonstrating the ambition of the next generation to shape Europe’s financial future.
We are grateful to Commissioner Albuquerque for her valuable insights and to everyone who participated in this meaningful dialogue.
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