Finance Summit 2025: Groundbreaking debates on capital markets, geopolitics and private investment

The Finance Summit 2025 will once again bring together leading minds from the financial sector, industry, politics and technology in Stuttgart. In times of rapid global change, the event will be a key forum for discussing central issues that will shape Europe's economic future. The panels will not only focus on the mechanisms of capital markets and the challenges of geopolitical power shifts, but also on the changing role of private investors. The range of topics will be broad, from capital market regulation and technological innovation to Europe's geopolitical role and the opportunities and risks of new forms of investment. All panels will share a common goal: To show solutions on how growth, stability and social responsibility can be harmonized.

Stock exchanges, banks and business: the capital market as a driver or obstacle to growth?

The event will kick off with a panel that will shed light on one of the most fundamental questions for companies and investors alike: Will the capital market be a driver of growth, or will it stifle it? Between the pressure to innovate, regulatory requirements and growing social responsibility, the panelists will discuss the influence of stock exchanges, banks and institutional investors on economic development. The focus will be on current topics such as IPOs, ESG criteria, shareholder value and new trends such as artificial intelligence and tokenization. The latter will not only change trading processes, but also the understanding of investing. The panel will explore the question of how a capital market can be designed that meets the requirements of the 21st century: digital, sustainable and fair.

The high-caliber panel will include:

• Dr. Michael Schleef: CEO, HSBC Continental Europe S.A., Germany, will contribute international banking perspectives and regulatory know-how.
• Christian Sagerer: Member of the Management Board, Société Générale, will shed light on capital market strategies in a global financial institution.
• Katharina Gehra: Member of the Supervisory Board, Boerse Stuttgart Group, will focus on innovation and the role of European stock exchanges in international competition.
• Frank Vogel: CEO Corporate & Institutional Banking, BNP Paribas Germany, will provide perspectives on international financial markets and corporate finance.

With their combined experience, the panelists will critically examine how capital markets can be regulated and designed to promote entrepreneurial growth without losing sight of social and environmental goals.

Geopolitical shifts: Starting signal for European awakening or is the race already over?

The second major panel discussion will focus on the profound changes in the global market order. Between the USA, China, the Global South and a series of global crises, Europe will be faced with a directional decision: Will the continent be a shaper or will it remain a spectator? the panel will analyze Europe's economic and security sovereignty, look at possible strategic alliances and shed light on the importance of technological independence. Europe as an investment location will be considered in the light of current geopolitical trends. The aim will be to identify opportunities for European capital markets to become more attractive in the coming years.

The panel will bring together perspectives from industry, the financial world and corporate circles:

• Dr. Christian Ricken: Chairman of the Management Board, Aareal Bank AG, will bring expertise in financing strategies and banking regulation.
• Christoph Keese: Chairman of the Board of Directors / Co-CEO, World Minds, will combine innovation and technology topics with an international perspective.
• Armin von Falkenhayn: Country Executive, Germany, Bank of America Europe DACH, will shed light on transatlantic capital and trade relations.
• Bonita Group: Managing Partner, Trigema W. Grupp KG, will contribute perspectives from the SME sector and its role in the geopolitical realignment.

Together they will discuss which strategic steps will be necessary to ensure that Europe not only reacts, but proactively sets the economic and political course.

Private investor: from saver to speculator

The program will be rounded off by a panel that will examine the rapid change in the world of private investment. Between savings accounts and smartphones, a completely new investor culture has developed in recent years. Low interest rates, trading apps and crypto hype have created a generation of investors who participate more directly and actively in the markets, but who will also be exposed to higher risks. The discussion will focus on whether this new generation of investors will be better informed and more self-determined or whether they could increasingly become the plaything of trends, algorithms and social media. The focus will be on the opportunities of a democratization of investing, but also on the risks of speculation and the question of the responsibility of education, platforms and politics.

The panel will bring together representatives from various financial institutions and sectors:

• Hans Hanegraaf: Chairman of the Broad, Bethmann Bank / ABN AMRO Germany, will share his experience in wealth management for sophisticated private clients.
• Tino Benker-Schwuchow: Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Customer Experience, Consorsbank, will provide insights into digital customer strategies and trading services.
• Roland Oppermann: Member of the Management Board, SV Sparkassen Versicherung, will present the view of long-term pension and investment models.
• Dr. Sven Deglow: CEO DKB AG, will focus on sustainable and digital financial solutions.
• Kristina Lindenbaum: Board Member for Customer and Digital Transformation, Deutsche WertpapierService Bank AG, will shed light on the digital modernization of securities services.

The discussion will highlight how regulation, technology and financial education need to work together to promote responsible investing.

The Finance Summit 2025 will offer far more than just current market analyses. The panels will bring together different industries, disciplines and ways of thinking to develop answers to complex questions:

• How can capital markets foster innovation and growth without neglecting environmental and social responsibility?
• What role will Europe play in a reorganizing global economy?
• And how can private investors take advantage of opportunities without taking unjustifiable risks?

The discussions in Stuttgart will not only inspire experts, but also political decision-makers and entrepreneurs. In a world in which economic and geopolitical developments are closely intertwined, it will become clear: The power to shape the future will lie with those who are prepared to face the challenges and make courageous decisions.