Most Innovative Digital Asset Management Strategy 2025 – Belgium KBC Asset Management NV is part of the bank insurer KBC Group, developing products for intra-group distribution and providing investment fund sales and advisory support for its 2.92 million retail and institutional investors. Living by the motto of “Everyone invested all the time”, KBC Asset Management remains focused on a ‘digital-first’ approach with a human touch. In light of its recognition within our Investment Excellence Awards 2025, we speak to Chief Investor Support Officer, Frank Van de Vel to learn more. KBC Asset Management offers a wide range of products and services, including investment funds and discretionary management, for all types of clients, such as retail, private banking, wealth and institutional clients to fit their individual needs. Frank explains, “Our Solution Development team creates solutions from initial idea to launch, and initiates changes to and challenges existing solutions to ensure proper asset allocation in managed funds and portfolios. The solution support team offers clients direct investor support, providing personal, relevant, and up-to-date information, training, and after-sales services, and this by prioritizing digital channels.” Within its offering, KBC Asset Management has available a wide variety of responsible investment funds. Clients can choose from a broad range of funds, giving them the opportunity to invest in companies and countries that respect their ESG preferences. This allows KBC Asset Management to contribute to a more sustainable world by excluding investments with a severe negative ESG impact and by actively promoting ESG principles. The company encourages countries and companies to consider sustainability and climate change in their decision-making and invests in green, social, and sustainable bonds, as well as issuers contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Frank tells us that growing awareness of ESG issues has led to growing interest in responsible investing products among retail, private and institutional investors. He says, “In recent years, clients have increasingly made a positive contribution to a better world by investing in a responsible way. Currently, KBC Asset Management manages 50 billion euros, or nearly 45% of its total assets, in Responsible Investing funds. Responsible Investing funds are the first option offered to clients. “We were, and remain, a pioneer regarding Responsible Investing. That being said, it is a strategic choice to stay on top of new developments in our industry in general. This includes ensuring future-proof operations in many areas: up-to-date methodologies, investment solutions that address current sustainability challenges, state-of-the-art reporting, ….” Over the last decade, KBC Asset Management’s clients have benefited from its mobile banking app, KBC Mobile, which has evolved into an all-in-one-platform. It comes with KATE, the AI-powered virtual assistant, which has been the logical next step in delivering a digital client experience. KATE helps clients to navigate investment options on digital channels, where over half of KBC investment plans are now sold. It also includes an ‘investing with your spare change’ service, where each time a client makes a purchase with their debit card, the amount will automatically be rounded up to the nearest euro to be invested. “Clients can invest their spare change and gain first investment experience in a very easy and simple way,” states Frank. Furthermore, KATE comes with an option for personal portfolio advice, a feature that screens portfolios held by private and wealth clients daily. It performs a detailed analysis of each portfolio based on different risk and return factors and proactively gives personalised advice. It also considers clients’ personal investment preferences. How will the firm continue to innovate into the future? Frank shares, “KBC Asset Management remains dedicated to being a market leader in investment innovation and Responsible Investing in all 5 of its home markets. We continuously develop our strategy to reflect and react upon the newest market trends, ensuring that our products and services remain relevant at all times. “By combining cutting-edge digital solutions with a firm commitment to sustainability and customer satisfaction, KBC Asset Management will remain a key player in the financial sector and shape the future of investing.” Contact Details Company name: KBC Asset Management NV Contact name: Jan Standaert Email: [email protected] Website: www.kbc.com
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