BaFin Survey Highlights Consumer Demand for Clear Rules on Sustainable Financial Products

In June 2025, the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority BaFin ran an online survey with 1,528 people. BaFin tested views on sustainable financial products. The survey shows that 65% of the people lean toward sustainable investments. Each word links closely to its head to keep ideas simple and clear.

Key Findings

• High Consumer Interest:
  Two-thirds of the people show an interest in sustainable financial products. Forty percent are split as follows: 39% are a bit curious, and 26% feel strong or very strong interest.

• Demand for Transparency and Clarity:
  Nearly all consumers want clear, direct sustainability facts.

  • Sixty percent need providers to show sustainability details clearly before signing a contract.
  • Seventy percent feel tricked when products that claim sustainability mix in unsustainable investments. The mix is especially problematic with controversial weapons and issues on human rights.

• Exclusion of Controversial Investments:
  About two in three demand that investments linked to human rights abuses must be left out. Over half support the removal of products tied to controversial weapons or coal-fired power plants.

• Minimum Sustainable Investment Threshold:
  Consumers expect at least 40% of investments to go to projects that help build an environmentally friendly economy.

Consumer Perception of ESG Product Categories

BaFin also asked consumers about the new EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) categories. The words in each item connect directly to the ideas that follow:

• Sustainable Financial Products (built solely on ecological or social aims):
  Eight in ten consumers think these are true to their name.

• Transition Products (a means to fund change toward a sustainable economy):
  More than half feel these count as sustainable.

• Exclusion-Based Products (which avoid harmful actions but do not add positive sustainability):
  Only 40% see them as sustainable.

• Mixed Products (a blend without fixed proportions):
  Fewer than 30% rate these as sustainable.

Context: EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR)

The EU Commission updates the SFDR. They aim to boost clarity in sustainability and to set clear categories: sustainable, transition, exclusion, and mixed. BaFin’s survey sheds light on consumer thoughts. It shows that clear rules and honest labels are needed to stop misleading claims.

Conclusion

The survey shows that German consumers value sustainable financial products. They also demand simple, honest facts and strict rules that cut out unethical investments. The planned SFDR reforms can help align the market with these clear consumer demands. This change can boost both product trust and market credibility.

For further details:

• BaFin Survey on Sustainable Financial Products (PDF)
• Presentation on Minimum Proportion of Sustainable Investments (PDF)

Survey conducted by BaFin, June 2025

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