Finance, women are aiming for savings: all crazy about Bitcoins

Women are also aiming for savings, and more than half (56%) of those who have not yet invested say they have considered this opportunity in the past. According to the research released by the 100% digital bank N26, and conducted last February, when asked what would push them to try, reasons similar to those of women who are already investing are exposed: to increase their savings in the long term (41 %), build financial security for the family or children (40%) and rapidly increase their capital (29%). Women between 35 and 44 years of age are particularly open to investing in the future: 60% have already evaluated the possibility of starting to do so. The highest percentage of non-investing women say they would most likely consider real estate (29%), followed by cryptocurrencies (26%) and banking products (23%). According to N26 analysts, the potential of new investors in Italy appears significant: as many as 72% of those who already invest say that in 2022 they plan to increase their monthly sum. Female investors aged between 35 and 44 are planning to double the amount destined to seize new investment opportunities compared to the past (+ 111%). The research also shows that both women who already invest and those who are considering doing so indicate a lack of disposable income as the main reason limiting further investment or preventing starting (42% and 52% respectively). One third of female investors (33%) also cite some uncertainty about their future financial stability (29%). For women who are not yet investing, poor knowledge (32%) and a lack of confidence in investment products (15%) represent significant barriers. When asked what would encourage them to start investing, over a quarter of the female sample (28%) put adequate training on the subject first, while 23% want more open and simple conversations about the benefits and risks of ‘investment. In fact, two out of five women (40%) declare that they have no opportunity to raise the issue with anyone. Another useful aspect, according to women who do not invest, would be the support of professional consultants who could help women who intend to invest (22%). Although the lack of knowledge is not an obstacle for Italian women who already invest and the overwhelming majority (76%) feel confident in making decisions in this area, just over half (55%) say they are adequately informed about financial instruments . The low level of financial information is particularly visible among the youngest (age group between 18 and 24 years), in fact 81% declare themselves safe, but only 48% feel informed. Paula Mariani, Director of User Experience at N26, points out that “the research clearly demonstrates that there are many opportunities for women in the area of ​​financial investments”. “In fact, it is very positive that women are also starting to consider and evaluate the best tools to grow their assets. For N26 – adds Mariani – it is a priority to proactively contribute to this process, facilitating dialogue with our customers and creating tools for the management of savings and investments that are increasingly inclusive “. The manager also points out that their research, “for example, reveals that the percentage of women who hold Bitcoin has tripled in the past three years and that, however, the percentage of men is still six times higher”. “There is still a lot to do and we can’t wait to help build an investment sector that is accessible to all” warns Mariani, however, indicating that the N26 research still shows that banking products are the most popular financial tool for women: in fact, almost 2 out of 5 women (38%) who invest consider banking products, such as savings accounts, as their preferred financial instrument, followed by insurance products – such as life insurance and pensions – preferred by 34% of respondents and from the trading of cryptocurrencies (30%). When we examine the motivations that push Italian women to invest, first of all the desire to maximize their financial capacity with a long-term perspective (49%) emerges, a motivation that is also in first place among men (44 %). For most female investors, building financial security for family and children (40%) and accumulating retirement savings (30%) are also among the main reasons behind their investing activities. While “diversification” is a term often quoted in financial jargon, it is only the seventh among the factors that women consider important when they invest. Furthermore, we find with some surprise that, despite the global attention towards the climate emergency has grown significantly last year, sustainability does not play a very important role in the investment choice for Italian women. Only 22% mention it as one of the top 3 aspects of their investment strategy. And the other overriding reasons are minimizing risk (38%), value for money (34%) and long-term returns (28%).