Stefnir at 30: growth, in­nov­a­tion and greater ac­cess to in­vest­ing for all

Stefnir hf, a subsidiary of Arion Bank hf, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Since it was established in 1996, Stefnir has grown into one of Iceland’s most successful fund management companies. The company currently employs twenty people and has more than ISK 390 billion in assets under active management.

From faxes to investing on your phone

When Stefnir was still in its early years, the internet was only just beginning to make its way into Icelandic homes. Investment instructions were often sent by fax, reporting was largely done manually, and securities were frequently stored in drawers as paper certificates, alongside paper clips and staplers.

Thirty years later, the landscape has changed dramatically. Investors can now invest in funds in a matter of seconds on their phones, regular saving has become far more accessible thanks to digital technology, and artificial intelligence is reshaping the way people work in financial services.

Despite rapid technological advances, new regulations and constantly evolving markets, Stefnir's core priorities have remained unchanged throughout the years. At the forefront are trust between the company's employees and clients, professionalism, and a clear long-term vision in the management of clients' assets. The company's commitment to society is also reflected in the fact that, in 2012, Stefnir became the first Icelandic company to be recognised as a model company in corporate governance, a distinction it has maintained ever since.

Strong growth in recent years

Stefnir has grown rapidly in recent years. Assets under management increased from approximately ISK 260 billion at year-end 2022 to more than ISK 379 billion at year-end 2025 and now exceed ISK 390 billion. Alongside this growth, the number of clients has increased steadily and now stands at approximately 14,300, the highest in the company’s history.

Regular savings plans with Stefnir continue to gain popularity. Last year, the number of individuals enrolling in regular fund subscriptions increased by 40%, and most transactions are now carried out through the Arion app. The app enables people and businesses to invest easily, anytime and anywhere.

Leading the way in advancing financial services

In recent years, Stefnir has placed special emphasis on making investing more accessible. The front load fee for its funds have been eliminated, minimum investment amounts and transaction fees for fund purchases and redemptions have been removed, and management fees on the Premia funds have been reduced.

The aim is to enable more people to make regular savings and participate in the securities market, regardless of the amount they invest or their prior experience.

Arion’s Women Invest initiative has likewise contributed to increased participation by women in investing. Since the initiative was launched, the number of women investing in Stefnir’s funds has increased by 56%.

The tools have changed, but the goal remains the same

Thirty years after its founding, Stefnir is in many ways a very different company. The tools are different, the technology is more advanced, and services are more accessible. Yet the fundamentals remain unchanged: a team of skilled and ambitious professionals working responsibly to create as much value as possible for their clients.

We look forward to the next thirty years and face the future with optimism and confidence.