Rachel Lord, head of international at BlackRock, highlighted that around €14 trillion of retail money in Europe is currently held in bank deposits, which primarily benefits banks rather than individual investors. This situation poses a risk for individuals who are missing out on potentially higher returns available in capital markets. Lord pointed out the need for European policymakers to address this issue by finding ways to channel these savings into productive investments, which could help stimulate local economies and improve retirement outcomes. In the UK, a recent study indicated that Britons have over £600 billion in excess cash that could be invested for better returns. The UK government is actively promoting retail investing and has introduced initiatives to make financial guidance more accessible. Despite these efforts, the UK has a lower participation rate in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) compared to Germany, where nearly a third of investors use these products. As younger generations increasingly engage with digital investment platforms, there is a growing trend of UK investors moving their savings into markets, which could empower them financially.