Inadvertent changes in risk profiles may also occur via institutionalised investing, when financial intermediaries modify their investment habits. During the last decade, German life insurance companies had increasingly taken to riskier assets in order to bolster returns. Most probably, life insurance policy holders were not fully aware of these alterations in their individual risk profiles [that more recently have been partially reversed].
Thankfully, we have by now accumulated certain experience with such changeover processes. The euro changeover that took place early this year in Slovenia was a great success. Within a short period of time, Slovenians had completely accepted the new currency and integrated it in their daily life.