Universal Investment has entered into a strategic partnership with Baader Bank and the online broker Smartbroker. The aim of this cooperation is to enable fund initiators and asset managers to integrate their fund and ETF solutions into the new state-subsidised pension provision depot. The three players are combining their respective expertise to create an integrated offering aimed at Universal Investment's clients.
The upcoming reform of state-subsidised private pension provision, which will come into effect in 2027, opens up new potential for capital market-oriented pension solutions. A central element of this innovation is the pension provision depot, which provides for investments in funds and active ETFs. This creates a new market segment for fund initiators and asset managers for their existing and future investment solutions.
Universal Investment, as a leading fund service platform in Germany and Europe, will not distribute pension provision contracts itself. Its role is rather to support fund initiators and asset managers in structuring suitable fund and active ETF solutions for the pension provision depot and to establish contact with the necessary partners.
As a provider of certified pension provision contracts, Baader Bank assumes central functions within this model. These include account and securities account management, trade processing, and brokerage services. Furthermore, the bank is responsible for compliance with regulatory and legal requirements, managing the subsidy logic, and carrying out the necessary reporting and notification processes to government bodies. In addition to the pension provision depots, Baader Bank also offers standard securities accounts in this collaboration.
Smartbroker provides digital access for end customers. Through this platform, fund initiators and asset managers can link their offerings, thereby making their funds and active ETFs digitally accessible to end customers. At the same time, it enables the straightforward opening of a pension provision depot.
Mathias Heiß, CEO Universal Investment Deutschland, highlighted that the pension provision depot opens up new opportunities for fund initiators and asset managers in the field of private pension provision. He emphasised that Universal Investment supports its clients in implementing suitable fund and active ETF solutions. Bringing together different competencies with Baader Bank and Smartbroker is intended to ensure a comprehensive service package for clients. Universal Investment also intends to cooperate with further partners in the future based on this model to be able to offer a wide range of solutions.
