UniCredit Bank Austria Financial Monitor 2026:
Focus on financial planning: One in two families saves specifically for their children
- 43 per cent of respondents are interested in securities, whilst 36 per cent are already investing themselves
- 31 per cent of women under 30 invest in securities, yet a significant gender gap remains
- Gen Z is strongly focused on saving through securities
- Building wealth for the next generation: nearly one in two families saves specifically for their children
- 48 per cent are open to AI-supported advice, whilst 90 per cent want humans to make the final decision
- Saving remains the most popular form of investment, whilst securities are establishing themselves as a cornerstone of long-term financial planning
- Monthly savings amounts are falling and will stand at a median of just 200 euros in 2026 (2025: 250 euros)
UniCredit Bank Austria’s latest Financial Monitor 2026 paints a nuanced picture of investment behaviour in Austria. Whilst traditional forms of saving, such as savings accounts and building society savings, remain the most popular forms of investment, securities are increasingly establishing themselves as an integral part of long-term wealth accumulation. This shift is particularly evident among women, families with children and younger investors.
“Investing in securities has become the financial norm. Whilst people in Austria still want the security that comes from saving, they also want to take advantage of opportunities for long-term wealth accumulation. The financial future of children and families, as well as high-quality advice, are particularly important to Austrians”, says Marion Morales Albiñana-Rosner, Board Member Wealth Management & Private Banking at UniCredit Bank Austria.
People in Austria are saving less each month than last year
Saving remains the most important form of wealth accumulation for the majority of Austrians. Savings accounts and building society savings continue to be highly valued and are regarded as a secure reserve. The median monthly savings amount in 2026 stands at 200 euros. This means that the peak of 250 euros in 2025 has levelled off again to the 2024 level, indicating that people are generally able to set aside less. At the same time, 53 per cent of those surveyed are already concerned about being unable to maintain their standard of living in old age, up from 47 per cent in 2024.
Investing in securities is becoming increasingly popular
At the same time, the study shows that interest in securities remains high at 43 per cent, and 36 per cent are already investing themselves. Securities investments are thus increasingly seen as a significant alternative to traditional forms of saving, particularly when it comes to long-term goals such as retirement provision, wealth accumulation or providing financial security for children.
Interest in securities has risen from 26 per cent to 43 per cent since 2019. Actual usage has almost doubled over the same period, from 19 per cent to 36 per cent. At the same time, saving remains the most important form of investment, with 52 per cent interest and 68 per cent actual usage.
Investing in securities is very popular amongst Gen Z
The option to save through securities is a key driver of securities investment amongst the younger population (aged 16 to 30). 42 per cent of young people hold securities, and two-thirds of them make use of the option to save through securities.
Children and families are taking centre stage in retirement planning – debate over ‘future portfolios’
The study also clearly shows that financial decisions are increasingly being made within a family context. For 40 per cent of investors with children, sustainable wealth accumulation for children and the family is one of the most important motives for investing in securities. Almost one in two families saves specifically for their children: 48 per cent of households with children cite ‘for my child’ as their reason for saving.
This raises the question of how early financial planning should begin. The study’s data show that the current discussion surrounding a ‘future savings account’ for children reflects the desire of many families to lay the foundations for long-term wealth accumulation from an early age. “Accessible schemes for young people can help to strengthen financial literacy and promote wealth accumulation across generations”, says Marion Morales Albiñana-Rosner, who goes on to explain: “The government’s planned ‘Future Savings Account’ can make an important contribution to familiarising young people with more promising forms of investment at an early stage. It supports the build-up of initial financial capital whilst also strengthening financial literacy when families explore the opportunities and risks of the capital market together in a safe environment.”
The next generation also plays an important role in property investment. 56 per cent of households with children cite their children as a key motivation for such investments.
Women are catching up, but the gender gap persists
One of the key focuses of the 2026 Financial Monitor is on women’s investment behaviour. Whilst 47 per cent of men own or use securities, the proportion among women currently stands at just 26 per cent. The differences relate not only to actual usage, but also to risk appetite and the assessment of one’s own financial knowledge.
Particularly noteworthy is the long-term trend among women, and especially among the younger generation: the use of securities has risen from 11 per cent in 2019 to 26 per cent today. Among women under 30, usage rose from 18 per cent in 2023 to 31 per cent in 2026. In this target group, securities have already overtaken building society savings. This is giving rise to a new generation of female investors who incorporate capital market products into their financial planning far more naturally than previous generations.
Investing in securities brings benefits for savers and the economy
The high inflation of recent years has posed a challenge to household wealth in Austria. Even in 2025, Austrian households were, on average, unable to achieve any real return on the income and capital gains from their financial assets and actually suffered a loss of around 1 per cent. Due to low interest rates on savings and high inflation, Austrian households have, on average, lost 18 per cent in real terms since 2003; for deposits, the loss was as high as around one third.
Investments in securities yielded an average real return of 3 per cent after capital gains tax in 2025, and since 2003 a real return (including dividends and interest, and net of inflation and capital gains tax) of 23 per cent has been achieved, despite high inflation of almost 80 per cent. In the long term, therefore, the real value of assets was preserved through investment in securities, despite inflationary shocks and what were at times difficult market conditions. This is also to be expected in the future; however, if one invests exclusively in savings deposits, this will not be achievable in the coming years, despite interest rates being higher today than they were before 2022.
However, investing in securities can bring benefits not only to savers, despite certain risks. Particularly in uncertain times marked by major economic challenges, investing in securities is important for the economy as a whole. “Strengthening the capital market is particularly important for the economy in a difficult economic climate. Investments in securities issued by Austrian companies also play a key role in ensuring that savings benefit the domestic economy”, Marion Morales Albiñana-Rosner continues.
Artificial intelligence as an aid, not a replacement
Another key focus of the 2026 Financial Monitor is the role of artificial intelligence in financial advice. The public is generally open to new technologies: 48 per cent can envisage AI-supported advice.
However, the results also clearly highlight the limitations of this development. Nine out of ten respondents – 90 per cent – believe that the final investment decision should always be made by a human. Furthermore, 73 per cent agree with the statement that whilst AI can facilitate access to investments, successful wealth accumulation still requires expert personal advice.
This is because face-to-face advice is also regaining significant importance. The proportion of people who prefer to rely on professional advice when it comes to financial matters rose from 41 per cent in 2024 to 59 per cent in 2026.
The study thus makes it clear that the future of investing will be neither exclusively digital nor exclusively traditional. Rather, success will lie in combining modern technologies with personal advice, individual expertise and long-term trust.
UniCredit Bank Austria’s investment account promotion: ‘Make your first investment’
Until 3 November 2026, customers aged between 18 and 50 who do not already have a securities account will receive three years’ free account management when they open an online securities account. In addition, customers will receive a € 30 voucher from wunschgutschein.at if they set up online fund savings or ETF savings via a standing order within 30 days of opening the account.
The study
A representative online survey of 610 bank customers aged between 14 and 69. The survey was conducted in July 2026 in collaboration with Marketagent.
Enquiries:
UniCredit Bank Austria Media Relations
Matthias Raftl, Phone: +43 (0) 5 05 05-52809;
Email: matthias.raftl@unicreditgroup.at