Amsterdam based neobroker BUX has announced that from now on retail investors in Belgium and the Netherlands will have access to IPOs and other regulated fundraises, including deals previously only open for institutional investors.
BUX, which was taken over by ABN AMRO Bank earlier his year, said that it is the first pan-European partner to adopt London based PrimaryBid’s innovative capital markets platform, providing retail investors in Belgium and the Netherlands with access to IPOs and other regulated fundraises, including deals previously reserved for institutional investors. This move, encouraged by ABN AMRO, is part of BUX’s mission to make investing more accessible and empower retail investors with new opportunities.
PrimaryBid’s solution, already a market standard in France, has helped over 30 SMEs raise capital from retail investors over the past three years. With BUX leading the way in adopting this platform, retail investors in the Netherlands and Belgium will now have the chance to participate in primary offerings.
Since 2018, PrimaryBid has been partnering with Euronext, the leading pan-European market infrastructure that connects European economies to global capital markets. This new agreement represents a significant step toward the shared goal of promoting broader retail inclusion in the primary markets.
This initiative comes as the EU Listing Act simplifies fundraising rules across Europe, paving the way for greater retail participation by removing limits on how much retail investors can invest in follow-on offers. The act, set to come into force later this year, is expected to further enhance the contribution of BUX and ABN AMRO to the competitiveness of European capital markets.
Yorick Naeff, CEO of BUX, said:
“For too long, access to primary offerings has been limited to institutional investors. Our collaboration with PrimaryBid marks a significant step towards levelling the playing field. This partnership will empower retail investors, providing them with unprecedented opportunities to participate in primary offerings and shape their financial futures. At BUX, we are committed to democratising investing, and this alliance furthers our mission to make investing accessible to everyone. Additionally, the democratisation of primary markets is essential to funding the real economy and contributing to economic resilience in Europe.”
Francois De Wiljes, Head of PrimaryBid SA, said:
“As two technology-driven firms with a shared pan-European vision, this partnership between BUX and PrimaryBid is a natural fit. I am confident that together, we can replicate the success we’ve seen in France in new markets, starting with the Netherlands and Belgium.”
Paul Huysmans, Head of Equity Capital Markets at ABN AMRO said:
“We believe in broadening access to the capital markets and to include retail investors where possible. This partnership will create value for issuers and retail participants. As owner of BUX, ABN AMRO is proud to accelerate innovation in the capital markets and committed to support the partnership between BUX and PrimaryBid.”
René van Vlerken, CEO of Euronext Amsterdam, said:
“We’ve been working with PrimaryBid since 2018 to broaden retail investor access to primary markets across Europe. The BUX and PrimaryBid partnership will provide even more options for issuers and strengthen cross-border retail participation in public markets, especially as the EU Listing Act takes effect.”
About BUX
BUX, part of ABN AMRO N.V., is one of Europe’s leading neo-brokers. BUX provides a versatile investment platform featuring stocks, ETFs, and ETCs, alongside pre-built and custom Investment Plans. With its intuitive mobile investment app, BUX makes investing easier and more affordable for everyone. By simplifying the trading experience, BUX is helping a new generation of investors build long-term wealth and achieve their financial goals. Headquartered in Amsterdam, BUX is currently available in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, and Ireland.