Voluntary pensions attract 8,000 clients in just three weeks

Voluntary pension funds (3rd pillar) fared well in the first three weeks of November, with growth showing no signs of slowing down due to the financial crisis. In fact, the funds attracted nearly 8,000 new clients in the first three weeks of November. According to data published by pension funds on their websites, on November 21st, the overall number of participants to this system amounted to 143,969, from 135,974 at the end of October, up by 7,995 people. aING Optim, managed by ING Asigurari de Viata, has remained the largest fund in terms of number of clients, with 35,319 clients three weeks into November. Ranking behind it in terms of number of clients are BCR Prudent (32,987), AZT Moderato (24,510), ING Clasic (19,880), AZT Vivace (16,580), Pensia Mea – Aviva (8,353) and Raiffeisen Acumulare (5,810). The smallest funds on the market are OTP Strateg (320) and Asirom Concordia (210). Net assets managed by the nine voluntary pension funds amounted to 72.5 million RON (19.1 million euros) three weeks into November, an around 10% growth against the preceding month. Interamerican Pensii and Generali could enter this market in the coming period, with Aviva intending to launch another fund, with a different degree of risk than the one it is already managing.