In a recent conversation with Nuno Godinho, Industrial Thought’s CEO, we discussed the trends set to shape the finance and wealth management industry in 2024 and covered everything from standardisation initiatives to the rise of digital-first approaches. This article delves into the key themes that will influence how businesses, investors, and customers navigate the finance and wealth management industry.  

Digital Transformation Acceleration: 

COVID fast-tracked digital transformation across many industries, and the financial industry was no exception. We predict further acceleration within private banks and wealth management providers with increased focus on serving clients in a digital-first manner, exploring innovative ways to enhance user experience and meet evolving expectations.  

A key motivation for this being the movement to adopt ISO 20022 in time for the November 2025 deadline, creating a significant industry shift towards standardising open finance for wealth and asset management.  

The Rise of Digital Front Doors & Ecosystems: 

We’re already seeing financial institutions starting to embrace open finance, offering a holistic view of clients’ holdings and comprehensive advice that goes beyond traditional boundaries. 

There’s an increased demand for the flexibility to choose and customise financial services, driving the rise of platform ecosystems. Therefore, new entrants into the market are adopting a digital front door approach, offering an ecosystem where customers can view pensions, ISAs, and more, all in one place.  

This approach is also influenced by the growing pressure for fee transparency, with investors seeking a clear understanding of the advice-to-fee relationship. The rise of ecosystems is becoming crucial, allowing customers to choose services with quick switching capabilities and a consolidated view of their financial landscape. 

Portfolio Diversification & Personalisation: 

A key trend among investors is the attention towards diversification, spreading investments across smaller banks, diverse asset types, and providers to mitigate risks. With polarisation predicted to reach an all-time high in 2024, we will see an increase in purposeful investing as investors align their preferences and ethical considerations with their investment choices. In turn, this will bring a demand for the personalisation of their portfolio and an increase in self-directed investment as people want to be in the driver’s seat of their wealth journey.  

Going forward we expect to see ultra-high net worth investors becoming more selective, opting for peer collaboration over traditional advisory relationships. Notably, certain private banks are already adapting to this trend, establishing trust by incorporating a Venture Capital arm. This strategic move allows them to invest their own funds in alignment with the recommendations they offer to clients. 

Increased Speed in Industry Consolidation:

We can anticipate continued consolidation among providers through mergers and acquisitions. This trend is reducing the number of end solutions, with Independent Financial Advisor (IFA) networks actively engaging in buying and merging operations. Market consolidation is set to reshape the industry landscape, as major players opt to acquire smaller businesses that excel in specific areas, rather than providing the entire end-to-end spectrum of services themselves.

As 2023 draws to a close, we wanted to reflect on the past twelve months at Industrial Thought. This year has been a period of remarkable progress and significant milestones for our company. A big thank you to our team and everyone who has played a role in our growth and evolution throughout the past year. Your dedication and hard work have been instrumental in driving our success.

Let’s recap our highlights: We launched several innovative products, expanded our services, and formed new strategic partnerships. Our team’s efforts have been crucial in achieving these accomplishments and setting the stage for future growth.

We have plenty of exciting plans for 2024, including new product launches, continued expansion, and enhanced service offerings. Stay in the loop by subscribing to our newsletter below!

Your continued support and engagement are vital as we embark on another year of growth and innovation. Thank you once again for being a part of our journey. We look forward to an even more successful 2024 together.

Welcome to our new series, where we delve into the world of Wealth Management transformation and converse with the trailblazers shaping the industry. Starting with our very own group CEO, Nuno Godinho. 

Nuno has over 25 years experience in digital transformation and driving innovation in a range of industries. His extensive background and forward-thinking approach make him a pivotal figure in the realm of digital innovation. As a true innovator, Nuno has consistently driven change and evolution.

Leading the conversation is seasoned expert, Mike Baker. With a 30-year track record in the wealth management sector, Mike previously served as the Managing Director for FinoComp, part of the Bravura Solutions Group. Currently, Mike is working for ITL as a consultant, having a significant impact on our strategic growth. His wealth of experience and strategic insights are invaluable to our ongoing development and success.

In this conversation, Mike delves into the concept of Wealth Management 4.0. They explore the latest trends, technological advancements, and strategic initiatives that are defining the future of wealth management. Together, they discuss what it means, unpack what this evolution entails, how Nuno plans to get there, and why collaboration is the key to its success. Their dialogue offers a deep dive into the complexities and opportunities within the industry, providing viewers with expert perspectives and actionable insights.

Watch the full episode now. Gain valuable knowledge and stay ahead in the rapidly evolving world of wealth management.