Feminize yourself with investment!

Investment, a tool for female empowerment?

Empowerment, what is it?

Difficult to translate, this term has no precise equivalent in French, because it revolves around two dimensions: that of power, which constitutes the root of the word, and that of the learning process to access it. Female empowerment, for its part, is seen as a stimulating state linking the notions of justice, social solidarity, recognition, emancipation, and democratization.

Investing for women is much more than just a financial issue! Whether seen as a testament to independence, a form of financial ambition, a desire for economic equality, or an act of empowerment, it's a powerful way for women to achieve their goals.

However, even though women are making giant strides in the investing world, some obstacles remain. So, how can we break down these barriers? Educating, inspiring, and recognizing the successes of women investors are crucial steps toward equal participation and a more inclusive financial future for all.

Evolving as a Woman

1. 1965: Parliament passes a law allowing women to open a bank account in their own name and work without their husband's consent
2. 1967: women are allowed to enter the Paris Stock Exchange and speculate
3. 1983: the Roudy law establishes professional equality between women and men
4. 1991: Édith Cresson is the first woman in France to be appointed Prime Minister
5. 2013: UN Women France relays the international actions and campaigns led by UN Women. It develops advocacy, education, and public awareness activities and works in partnership with associations, academics, and institutions working toward gender equality.
6. 2017: A 40% female representation rate is mandatory on the boards of directors or supervisory boards of listed companies, both public and private, and in companies with more than 250 employees.
7. 2021: Women represent nearly 21% of crypto users worldwide.
8. 2022: Active investors represent 2.1% of the French population, including 30% women and 70% men.
9. 2023: Round table organized by Enerfip España to address the following theme: “Women and investment” through inspiring female figures working in the financial investment sector
10. 2024: round table organized by Enerfip to address the following theme: “Encouraging women to get involved in the investment field”

Where are the women?

Evolution of the proportion of women between 2015 and 2023 at Enerfip

🎀 2015: 23.26%
🎀 2016: 20.39%
🎀 2017: 21.91%
🎀 2018: 19.53%
🎀 2019: 22.13%
🎀 2020: 20.48%
🎀 2021: 23.86%
🎀 2022: 25.47%
🎀 2023: 24.81%

Only 24% of Women worldwide invest regularly, compared to 66% who prefer to save. Conversely, men, although less likely to save (57%), are more interested in investing with 36%.

At Enerfip, the trend is similar... However, building a heritage is essential to secure the financial future and that of future generations.

Invest like a woman!

• The average age of female investors is higher than that of men, with a gap of 7 years between them in 2022, while the difference was only 11 years in 2018.
• Women inform themselves less frequently about the stock market than men (44% of them compared to 60% for them).
• Women refuse, more than men, any risk-taking in terms of investments (48% of them compared to 36% for men).
• 87% of them are more likely to focus on security than men (77%).

Later, I would like to be an investor…

• While women are only 17% of active investors under 35, they represent at least 30% of the active investor population in the age group after 55.
• Women represent 42% of stock market investors (listed or unlisted shares, bonds, funds, ETFs held in a securities account or a PEA), and men 58%.
• Women under 35 from higher socio-professional categories (CSP+) are more likely than the average woman to consider themselves knowledgeable (37%) about financial investments.

Feminizing finance

Average amount invested by women at Enerfip

🎀 2015: €1,523
🎀 2016: €1,825
🎀 2017: €1,305
🎀 2018: €1,873
🎀 2019: €2,056
🎀 2020: €2,284
🎀 2021: €2,284
🎀 2022: €2,677
🎀 2023: €2,561

Women see money as a way to achieve their goals and secure their future, but often feel uncomfortable talking about it, especially in the professional world. They favor safe financial products, aligned with their values, and promoting a positive impact, reflecting a prudent and meaning-oriented approach.

• The proportion of those who save a fixed amount every month is identical (31% of women vs. 29% of men).
• However, more women save irregularly, when possible (46% of women vs. 41% of men). This fragility, observed in the frequency of savings, is also reflected in the propensity of women to save for their retirement and is explained by financial obstacles:
  • 33% are already saving (compared to 35% of men);
  • 29% are not saving (compared to 21% of men), because they do not have the means to do so.
• Only 28% of women in a relationship believe they have the highest income within their household (vs 66% of men).
  • 1/4 of the income if equal.
  • 1/3 of the higher income.

Women count in the eyes of the banking sector

The French banking sector is increasingly recognized as an essential ally for female investors, both to meet their specific financial needs and to support the rise of responsible investment. Aware of their growing influence as investors, French banks are now committed to greater economic inclusion of women.

💡 Did you know?

43% of women ask their banker for advice on their financial management, compared to 45% of men.

A study conducted by BNP Paribas Wealth Management shows that although 87% of French women want to make more independent investment decisions, a large majority of them express a lack of knowledge or confidence in their financial skills.

Banks, aware of this reality, have therefore taken initiatives to strengthen the financial inclusion of women. By offering suitable financial products, personalized advice, and increasing financial education, they are striving to support female investors in their investment choices.

One ​​of the main barriers to female investment remains the lack of confidence in financial skills. To address this, several banks in France have stepped up their efforts to provide financial education tailored to women.

For example, Crédit Agricole and BNP Paribas offer training programs to help women better understand financial mechanisms and invest with confidence.

Banks support women's entrepreneurial projects

Many banks, particularly those in the BPCE Group, contribute to the development and promotion of female entrepreneurship. Caisse d’Épargne is committed to contributing to the development and promotion of female entrepreneurship.

“For several years, Caisse d’Épargne has been supporting women and facilitating the emergence and development of this entrepreneurship, making it an economic and social issue. This creates value and creates jobs.” Pascal Pouyet, Director of Development at Caisse d’Épargne

Banque Palatine, committed to supporting entrepreneurs, wanted to strengthen its commitments by creating a mentoring program to support female athletes and para-athletes who are retraining and have a business project.

• Myriam Benadda, French mixed karate vice-champion, founded Enyo Women’s Fightwear, the first French brand of combat sportswear exclusively dedicated to women.
• Audrey Prieto, world wrestling champion, created School Holidays, an innovative solution for businesses and parents to help them combine their personal and professional lives.
• Aude Bredel, a former member of the French U21 golf team, created GolfHER, an ecosystem that works to democratize women's golf.
• Maé-Bérénice Méité, a six-time French figure skating champion, founded Sports UNLMTD, a platform connecting sports stakeholders.
• Malia Metella, Olympic 50m freestyle vice-champion, has a project for a disconnection site in the heart of nature comprising 6 tiny houses (small nomadic and ecological houses).

The impact of women on investment decisions

For women, money represents above all "a necessity to be able to live" (88% vs 80% of men) and "the freedom to carry out one's projects" (76% vs 67% of men). They are more fearful, stating that they do not want to take risks with their money, which is highlighted by their financial education, where they have been more aware of the price of things, expenses, and savings.

Women's priorities in their investments

• Long-term wealth growth AND environmental impact
• Obtaining returns, while having added value on the environment and society
• Investment aligned with my values ​​and with a return
• Sustainability and performance
• Preserve my wealth and invest in a sustainable and ecological way
• Responsible investments with a return
• Ensure a return to provide for the family, with a sustainability objective
• Wealth preservation and ESG impact
• Preserving my wealth and investing in companies that respect people

"Investing sustainably, with impact, or with respect for nature and people, however you put it, it's clear that it's no longer enough to propose a management strategy based solely on financial criteria. However, it would be wrong to believe that women are prepared to sacrifice performance, and this is clearly true here. For them, what is sustainable must also be profitable in order to be considered for the long term." Cécile Friedrich-Vuillemin, senior banker at Lombard Odier in Paris.

• 72% of European women consider sustainable investing important, compared to 67% of European men.
• 65% of European female investorsare particularly keen to have an impact on global warming.
• Regarding responsible fund holders (8% of respondents), more than a quarter invested recently, in 2022 or early 2023. Half of these new investors in sustainable funds are under 35. Women also represent half of recent subscribers.
• 2/3 of French people attach importance to sustainable development issues, including in their savings choices:
  • 54% say they take them into account in this context
  • 75% consider the impact of investments on the environment to be an important issue.

Projects in which women invest at Enerfip

🎀 Solar: 56.87%
🎀 Energy mix: 18.34%
🎀 Wind: 8.88%
🎀 Bioenergy: 7.62%
🎀 Innovation: 3.8 %
🎀 Hydroelectric: 2.55%
🎀 Energy savings: 1.86%
🎀 District heating: 0.08%

Sustainable finance, an opportunity for female investors

A report from the Observatory of Regulated Savings (OER) indicates that French women are showing particular interest in investments that have a positive impact on society and the environment. This explains the rise of so-called "responsible" or "sustainable" financial products that are now being promoted by major French banks, particularly through solutions such as SRI (Socially Responsible Investment) funds or green bonds, which allow for the reconciliation of profitability and positive impact.

A Novethic survey reveals that 62% of women in France say they want to invest in companies that promote social and environmental responsibility. This phenomenon is pushing French banks to develop responsible investment offerings and promote green finance, an area in which France is positioning itself as a leader with players such as Crédit Agricole and Natixis.

Some French banks have launched specific initiatives and products aimed at encouraging women to invest.

• Société Générale, for example, has developed personalized support tools for women entrepreneurs, as well as sustainable investment solutions that resonate favorably with female investors.

In France, the banking sector is proving to be an essential ally for the female investors of today and tomorrow. By adapting their products, promoting financial education, and positioning themselves in the sustainable finance niche, French banks are providing women with the means to become informed and independent investors.

For any additional questions about investing for women and creating a matrimony, do not hesitate to make an appointment with the Investor Relations department! Our dedicated team will be happy to answer you.