Top financial services industry issues
From PwC's Financial Services Institute
The rules have changed.
There’s no doubt that the financial services industry is changing. It always does. But when you think about recent shifts in technology, regulation or global events, the changes can feel dizzying. Whether you're a large multinational firm or a small community institution, it's time to revisit your plans—because what has led to success until now may not work as well in the future.
PwC looks at the most important issues facing financial services firms and puts them in perspective. For each topic, we look at the current landscape, share our view on what will likely come next and offer our thoughts on how you can turn the situation to your advantage.
Explore our financial services topics
Digital transformation in financial services
Customers expect a digital experience from financial firms, and a change to back-end operations is needed to support it.
Data and analytics in financial services
Financial institutions are using data and analytics to understand customers, find opportunity and remain competitive.
Artificial intelligence and digital labor in financial services
Technologies like AI and robotic and intelligent process automation are helping financial firms solve business problems.
Blockchain in financial services
Financial firms and regulators alike are finding ways to take advantage of the benefits of blockchain technology.
Cost containment in financial services
Financial institutions should be strategic with cost containment decisions and invest in their firm's core capabilities.
People strategy in financial services
Diversity, trust and digital labor continue to influence workforce strategy. How should financial firms be thinking about it?
Cybersecurity in financial services
Expectations of a digital experience open the door to more risk. Financial firms need to increase their cybersecurity.
RegTech in financial services
RegTech is bringing the financial services industry greater efficiency along with reduced risk and regulatory costs.
The road ahead
We see many reasons to be optimistic.
Leading firms are starting to reap the rewards of investments in emerging technology. They’re also taking steps to get ahead of regulatory changes, and they’re adapting their long-term strategies to reflect global and societal shifts. For those who are prepared, this may be a time to pull ahead of the pack.
We expect to see:
- An intense focus on limiting costs, based on a clear understanding of an institution’s central mission.
- Continued use of software bots and artificial intelligence to make operations more efficient and discover insights that can improve the customer experience.
- A new round of dealmaking as firms look to consolidate their position or step away from non-core activities.
We’re pleased to share this outlook with you, and we look forward to helping you in the year ahead.
How PwC can help
For more than a century, PwC has worked with clients around the world to build trust in society and solve important problems. We want to help your business tackle the challenges you face. Our teams in asset and wealth management, banking and capital markets, and insurance are helping our clients tackle the biggest issues facing the financial services industry. With professionals across tax, assurance and advisory practices, we can help you find ways to thrive even in a period of uncertainty. Whether you're preparing for regulatory changes, putting FinTech/InsurTech to work or rethinking your human capital strategy, we work together with you to resolve complex issues, identify opportunities and deliver value to your business.
