In the context of the action plan on building a capital markets union, the Commission commits to undertake a comprehensive assessment of European markets for retail investment products, including distribution channels and investment advice. The purpose of this contract is to inform this comprehensive assessment by providing facts and figures on the current features and functioning of European markets for retail investment products.

The tasks to be carried out are: a) the mapping of the supply of retail investment products through various distribution channels; b) the analysis of the impact of online distribution of retail investment products on costs and charges and investor protection; c) the analysis of the benefits and risks of investment advice for consumers and the way they perceive it and value it; and d) the analysis of the risks and benefits of the new solutions developed by FinTech companies for retail investment distribution.