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"Increased Demand for Active Asset Management Anticipated"

Passive Exchange Traded Funds will not be made available by Union Investment, contrary to significant market interest, insists CEO Hans Joachim Reinke.

"Increased demand expected for active asset management"
"Increased demand expected for active asset management"

"Increased Demand for Active Asset Management Anticipated"

In the ever-evolving world of finance, Union Investment continues to make significant strides, with its assets under management (AUM) crossing the 500 billion euro mark, according to the latest figures. This represents a 5% increase from 486.9 billion euros, showcasing the company's robust growth.

The German asset manager has been proactive in addressing the challenges faced by the statutory pension insurance, with the state's support for the extensive expansion of the early-start pension seen as necessary. Union Investment proposes extending the early-start pension to 6 to 66 years, similar to the pension savings deposit that was previously prepared by the traffic light government. However, the company demands the possibility of voluntary additional payments and the transferability of early-start pensions to a reformed new pension product.

Union Investment's growth is not limited to its AUM. The company has nearly matched its 2024 high of 11.5 billion euros in new business with 10.4 billion euros in the first six months of 2025. This impressive figure is split between 6.6 billion euros from retail business and 3.8 billion euros from institutional business.

Recruitment is not a problem for Union Investment, but the company aims to remain an attractive employer as demographics evolve. The company is considering strategies to reach Gen Z customers and effectively use new technologies for a data-based market approach.

In terms of product offerings, Union Investment has no plans to offer passive Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). Instead, the company continues to focus on fundamental active asset management, emphasizing the importance of having its own perspective, especially in times of crises. Short-term bond funds and the flagship Uni Global fund have performed well among retail clients, with 1.4 billion euros in inflows for Uni Global.

The fund industry is actively involved in the debate about FiDA, warning against well-intentioned but poorly-made regulations that could compromise customer data privacy. Union Investment is particularly concerned about the planned legal framework for access to financial data (FiDA), expressing concerns about customer data being shared with American big tech companies.

Union Investment is also embracing digital transformation, with asset management adopting a hybrid business model, combining digital media and personal advice. Social networks are seen as a potential tool for communication, although specific details about this initiative have not been disclosed.

Lastly, the CEO of Union Investment has plans for the future, but they have not been shared publicly yet. However, he intends to remain connected to the fund industry after his retirement. The financial industry's role in Europe's sovereignty is being questioned, with a focus on securing affordable energy, guaranteeing security, maintaining the German industrial location, modernizing infrastructure, and coping with demographic change.

For precise and current figures (especially as of mid-2025), official company reports or press releases from Union Investment would be necessary to get the most up-to-date information about the company's financial performance and assets under management.

  1. Union Investment's growth in the finance sector is not limited to managing assets; they have also achieved nearly 11.5 billion euros in new business in the first half of 2025.
  2. The company continues to focus on active asset management, such as short-term bond funds and the Uni Global fund, which have attracted 1.4 billion euros in inflows among retail clients.
  3. Union Investment is concerned about potential data privacy issues related to the planned legal framework for access to financial data (FiDA), particularly the possibility of customer data being shared with American big tech companies.
  4. In terms of education and self-development, the CEO of Union Investment intends to stay connected to the fund industry even after retirement, acknowledging the role of the financial industry in securing Europe's sovereignty.

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