The geopolitical landscape, technological revolutions, and post-pandemic recovery remain the main pillars of transformation in the financial world for 2025.
Central banks are strategically adjusting interest rates as inflation pressure in most economies has eased slightly. This is a distinct shift from recovery mode to stabilisation mode. Alternative assets (not too far off the spectrum) like private equity and infra investment are emerging as the growth bets proposed by wealth managers.
What's new: Long term stabilisation takes center stage as recovery phase.
Gaining prominence: Emerging prominence of alternative assets like PE & infrastructure investments.
References: Forbes, BNP Paribas
AI tools have advanced significantly, enabling hyper-personalized wealth management strategies. Predictive analytics and real-time client insights allow wealth managers to provide bespoke solutions tailored to individual goals, risk tolerances, and life stages. AI is also crucial for automating compliance, enhancing operational efficiency, and mitigating risks.
What's new: AI enabled hyper personalisation and operations efficiency.
Gaining prominence: Compliance automation & customer insights powered by AI.
References: Forbes, Exploding Topics
With ETFs for digital tokens beyond Bitcoin (e.g. Ethereum etc.), this asset class is getting the legitimacy of mainstream assets. Wealth managers will need to pay heed to this and support the diversification needs for the same.
What's new: ETFs beyond Bitcoin and other tokens.
Gaining prominence: Tokenized assets for portfolio diversification.
References: CoinDesk, Forbes
With millennials and Gen Z poised to inherit significant wealth, wealth management strategies increasingly focus on digital engagement and socially responsible investing. Younger investors demand transparency, values alignment, and user-friendly digital platforms.
What's new: Enabling and empowering the young investors digitally.
Gaining prominence: Socially responsible and values-driven investments.
References: Datos Insights, Bloomberg
DeFi's growth challenges traditional financial systems, offering direct, transparent, and decentralized financial services. Wealth managers must now understand and potentially integrate DeFi solutions, from staking to yield farming, into high-net-worth individuals' portfolios.
What's new: Inclusion of DeFi solutions as part of portfolio diversification strategies.
Gaining prominence: Yield farming and staking opportunities.
References: Forbes, Exploding Topics
Be it from compliance perspective or from market demand perspective, sustainability remains central. Environmental impact and ethical values are the cornerstones for aligning investments. Integrating ESG metrics in core strategies is a must for wealth managers.
What's new: Demand for ESG-aligned investments.
Maintaining prominence: ESG as a hygiene factor for wealth management.
References: The Guardian, BNP Paribas
Direct indexing seems to be gaining a lot of popularity as the need for tax efficiency and personalisation increases. Wealth managers can tailor portfolios more effectively.
What's new: Direct indexing for tax optimization a new strategy.
Gaining prominence: Personalized portfolios but at scale.
References: Exploding Topics, Forbes
Fee structures are evolving with increased competition. With the need to align costs to outcomes, both subscription pricing and performance-linked fees are gaining popularity.
What's new: New pricing models as a result of competition.
Gaining prominence: Performance-based fee.
References: Forbes, CNBC
As seen in point 1, there is economic stabilisation and movement away from the post-pandemic hangover. On the other hand, there is a noticeable rise in government-driven infra investment initiatives. Infrastructure investment opportunities help wealth managers to provide stable, long-term returns for clients.
What's new: Infrastructure investment theme in limelight.
Gaining prominence: Long-term, stable investment returns.
References: BNP Paribas, Bloomberg
A bit of an outlier still, but we will see quantum computing providing a paradigm shift for financial analysis as well as risk modelling. A bit in its infancy but sure has all the makings of a revolution.
What's new: Quantum computing’s impact on finance.
Emerging prominence: Financial analysis and risk analysis capabilities.
References: Forbes, Reuters
Technological innovation, evolving client demographics, and the need for sustainable growth will drive the wealth management industry. Investment strategies can remain relevant, effective, and client-centric with wealth managers adapting to these trends.
The year 2025 will certainly see some volatility thanks to the geopolitical changes we are witnessing across the globe—be it wars (physical and trade), elections, impeachments, etc. Wealth managers will need to factor in these great unknowns to deliver on a long-term and sustainable strategy.
Sameer is responsible for insurance and wealth solutions. He actively promotes open ecosystem thinking that powers our WealthMapper and Insurance-in-a-Box platforms. At TietoEVRY, he has a long experience of working within the Healthcare, Insurance and Wealth domains. Prior to this, he worked as a product manager and a brand manager in the food, processing and packaging industry. He is passionate about translating technology innovations to business reality leading to better quality of human life.