Investment market trends forecast until 2023 according to European experts 2021

In 2021, industry experts across Europe were asked what emerging trends they thought had the most impact within the next two years. Over half of respondents believed digital expectations of clients had the largest impact on the operations of their business. Following the rise in the use of technology, new consumer expectations have emerged, such as wider access to financial services online. Of investors surveyed, 75 percent believed the primary channels for financial services engagement will be digital. These emerging trends have impacted the practices of traditional financial firms and have created new gaps in the market. About 43 percent of respondents noted new entrants as a major trend that affected their business. Many new market entrants shifted the traditional roles of those working in the financial services segment. Clients now have access to a wider range of products and services such as personal trading platforms via mobile apps and low-cost business models. Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) trends had also driven change in the popularity of investment products among clients and how businesses in the industry operated with 44 percent of respondents believing ESG trends had a large impact on how their business would operate in the next two years.