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

In June 2025, Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) conducted a representative online survey assessing consumer attitudes towards sustainable financial products. The study, involving 1,528 respondents, highlighted sustained interest in sustainability within financial products, with approximately 65% expressing moderate to strong interest.

Key Findings:

• Consumer Interest and Expectations
  Around two-thirds of respondents are attracted to sustainable financial offerings, emphasizing the importance of clear, transparent information. Sixty percent insist that financial providers disclose relevant sustainability details prior to contract agreements.

• Demand for Transparency and ESG Clarity
  Respondents expect explicit labeling of investments perceived as unsustainable, including sectors linked to controversial weapons or severe human rights violations. Seventy percent would feel misled if such information is omitted.

• Exclusion of Controversial Investments
  Nearly two-thirds of interested consumers advocate for mandatory exclusion of human rights violations from sustainable portfolios. Over half agree that investment categories like controversial weapons and coal-power expansion should be excluded. Consumers also support a minimum threshold, suggesting at least 40% of investment capital be allocated to genuinely sustainable or transition-focused projects.

• Perceptions of Product Categories under SFDR Reform
  BaFin’s survey coincided with the ongoing EU revision of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), which mandates sustainability disclosures for investment funds and insurance products. Under discussion are four ESG product categories:

  • Sustainable Financial Products: Seen as credible by 80% when exclusively investing in ecological or social projects (e.g., wind farms, hospitals).
  • Transition Products: More than half view these favorably; they finance the shift to sustainable economies, like climate-neutral energy conversion.
  • Exclusion Products: Only 40% consider products that exclude certain sectors without proactive sustainability goals as sustainable.
  • Mixed Products: With unclear proportional allocations, these garnered the lowest acceptance at just under 30%.

Implications for Sustainable Finance Market

The survey underscores that German consumers prioritize transparency, clear ESG criteria, and ethical exclusions in sustainable financial products. BaFin views the SFDR revision as an opportunity to enhance clarity for both providers and consumers, fostering trust and supporting the transition to a more sustainable economy.

Additional Resources:

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

About BaFin: The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority regulates financial markets in Germany, focusing on consumer protection, market integrity, and sustainability in finance.

For further information and updates on sustainable finance regulations, follow BaFin’s official channels or visit their website.

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