WHAT THE TOP FINANCE SPEAKERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

Finance speakers and futurist consulting experts of all stripes know that the world of finance is being reshaped by new technologies, shifting investor behaviors, and an evolving regulatory landscape. What trends should financial professionals, institutions and individual investors be aware of per top finance speakers as the decade continues to fly by? Here’s what a sampling of the most renowned futurist consultants and thought leaders are saying:

1. Continued Fintech Disruption – The growth of financial technology (fintech) startups leveraging AI, blockchain, digital platforms and more will increasingly disrupt and transform traditional banking, lending, investing and financial services models.
2. Rise of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) – DeFi platforms and applications that eliminate third-party intermediaries and centralized control will gain more traction, driven by the adoption of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.
3. Growth of ESG Investing – Top finance speakers argue that there will be a greater emphasis on sustainable and socially responsible investing guided by environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles as values-based investing goes mainstream.
4. Increasing Regulatory Scrutiny – Amid technological disruption, regulators will intensify efforts to strengthen consumer protections, data privacy requirements, anti-money laundering measures and oversight of fintech innovations.
5. Democratization of Investing – Enabled by new apps, platforms and lower costs of trading, investing in various asset classes will become even more accessible to mainstream individual investors and families.
6. Use of Advanced Analytics – Financial institutions will increasingly harness big data, machine learning, AI and predictive analytics to make better-informed investment decisions, manage risks and gain a competitive edge.
7. Emergence of New Asset Classes – Investors will look to new and alternative asset classes for diversification and yields finance speakers say, e.g. cryptocurrencies, private equity, real assets and tokenized investment vehicles.
8. Demand for Cyber Resilience – With the growing sophistication of cyber threats, prioritizing cybersecurity and resilience will be paramount for safeguarding financial data and infrastructure.
9. Focus on Financial Inclusion – Expanding access to useful and affordable financial products and services for underserved and vulnerable populations globally will gain greater prioritization.
10. Transition to Hybrid Advice Models – While digital wealth management tools gain popularity, finance speakers argue there will also be increased demand for hybrid advice models that blend human advisors with technological capabilities.

These trends highlighted by finance luminaries underscore how rapidly evolving technologies, investing behaviors, business models and regulations are transforming the finance landscape. Those who can anticipate and adapt to these seismic shifts, say the best finance speakers, will be well-positioned for future success.