BlackRock Chief Executive and Chairman Larry Fink on Monday said "protectionism has returned with force," a development he said stemmed from a wealth divide that could be countered by offering more investors access to private markets.

In his annual letter to shareholders, BlackRock Chairman and CEO Larry Fink focused on various topics involving the economy and the world of investing, and specifically vowed to open up private markets to more people.

Fink wrote in his annual chairman's letter that too many people are currently missing out on prosperity in twin-speed economies