Deloitte expects policy rates to stabilize around 2 percent, which pushes average savings yields down to roughly 1.2 to 1.5 percent by 2026. With inflation near 2 percent, holding cash implies a real loss of purchasing power. At the same time, EFAMA reports that European investment funds have reached €21 trillion in assets, an increase of 8 percent year on year. These developments confirm a structural shift that McKinsey has highlighted several times: saving alone no longer preserves wealth.
For institutions, this means liquidity buffers remain relevant, but growth increasingly depends on investment strategies rather than traditional savings products. Capital efficiency is becoming a new benchmark. Providers that do not adapt to risk losing relevance in a market where savings balances are large, but real returns are negative.
Savings accounts in Belgium saw their strongest growth in at least 15 years, with balances rising by €25.3 billion to €282.35 billion at nine major banks, which together represent about 90 percent of the market. Total regulated savings reached a record €305.6 billion. This increase was driven mainly by maturing term deposits and geopolitical uncertainty, as households sought safety. The European Central Bank lowered rates from 4 percent to 2 percent between June 2024 and June 2025, which made short-term deposits less attractive and pushed funds back into savings.
This surge shows how volatility can trigger defensive choices, even when real returns are negative. However, with inflation near 2 percent and savings yields around 1.2 to 1.5 percent, this is a temporary refuge rather than a sustainable strategy. For financial institutions, hybrid solutions that combine security with growth potential are essential to help clients move from passive saving to long-term investing, without forcing them to give up their sense of safety.
PwC expects that by 2026, 30 percent of retail investments in Europe will flow through digital channels. Deloitte finds that 65 percent of European banks are investing in end-to-end platforms, and that 80 percent of retail clients now expect real-time insights and personalized advice. In parallel, market leaders like ABN AMRO are responding with hybrid products such as the Investor Savings Account, which combines a liquid buffer with investment potential in a single proposition.
Digital is no longer just another channel; it is the foundation for growth and client engagement. Institutions that integrate saving, investing and advice into one seamless experience will set the standard. Clients expect intuitive journeys, clear risk communication and on-demand insight into how their money is working for them.
Hybrid products are a logical next step in this evolution. They allow households to maintain a buffer for short-term needs, while gradually allocating part of their capital to investments that support long-term goals. For providers, this creates a bridge between traditional savings franchises and a future where investing becomes central to wealth building.