As the financial services industry prepares for a post-pandemic world, companies are looking ahead to the next wave of talent. There are new challenges facing the sector, and companies need to be looking for people that can tackle new challenges with new types of expertise. With this in mind, here are four recruitment trends that are likely to shape the financial services landscape in 2023 and beyond.
1. The Rise of Data Science
Data has always been important in financial services, but the pandemic has shone a spotlight on its potential like never before. From identifying early signs of financial distress to understanding which customers are most likely to default on loans, data has been critical in helping banks and other financial institutions navigate the turbulence of the past year.
As a result, demand for data scientists is expected to surge in the coming years. According to a recent report from Deloitte, 43% of financial services CEOs say they plan to increase their investment in data and analytics over the next 12 months. And with good reason – businesses that harness data effectively are 2.5 times more likely to make decisions faster than their competitors and 50% more likely to achieve above-average profitability.
2. The Demand for Equity-focused Candidates
In recent years there has been a boom in companies completing their Initial Public Offering (IPO). Because of this, there is a need for equity-focused candidates, investor relations candidates, and candidates who have financial communications experience. In addition, commercial CFOs who have experience in regulatory reporting around companies becoming publicly listed are also highly in demand.
3. The Need for Sustainable Finance Expertise
The past year has seen a growing focus on sustainability, with an increasing number of consumers and businesses alike looking to support companies that have a positive impact on the environment and society at large. This is reflected in the job market, with searches for sustainability-related roles increasing by 70% since 2019, according to Glassdoor.
In the financial sector specifically, there is a growing need for experts who can help businesses transition to a more sustainable business model. This includes roles such as climate change analysts and sustainability consultants who can advise companies on how to reduce their carbon footprint and implement ESG (environmental, social and governance) standards across their operations.
4. The Growth of Digital Banking
The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital banking channels such as mobile apps and online chatbots. According to a recent survey by PwC, 43% of consumers say they now use digital channels as their primary way of interacting with their bank – up from just 29% pre-pandemic.
What’s more, this trend looks set to continue in the years ahead. In fact, 77% of consumers say they would be willing to switch banks if another institution offered a better digital experience. This presents a major opportunity for forward-thinking financial institutions who are able to meet the growing demand for digital banking services.
5. The Importance of Cyber Security
Cyber security has always been important in financial services, but it has taken on new significance in recent years as the industry has become increasingly digitized. With more customer data being stored online and more transactions taking place electronically, there is a greater risk of sensitive information falling into the wrong hands.
This was brought into sharp relief last year when several high-profile banks were hit by cyber attacks that resulted in millions of dollars being stolen from customer accounts. In response to these incidents, many financial institutions have beefed up their cyber security teams in an effort to protect themselves against future attacks. Going forward, cyber security is only going to become more important as the industry continues its digital transformation.
As we move into 2023 and beyond, it’s clear that the financial services landscape is going to look very different from what it did pre-pandemic. From the rise of data science to the growth of digital banking, these are just some of the ways that recruitment trends are likely to shape the industry in the years ahead.
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