The most prominent challenges facing financial services businesses are talent and capital. Talent pools for such businesses are shallow and highly paid multinationals have already attracted these high-calibre employees. The sales force is subject to 100% attrition and replacement every year. Regulations will tighten, resulting in increased capital and liquidity, stricter consumer protection and increased pressure on bank returns. Furthermore, there will be more competition for capital. In addition, the talent pool will become even more constrained.
Investments
The financial services industry has a strong need for third-party providers of human capital and technology solutions. Such companies support clients in navigating the regulatory landscape, outsourcing non-core functions, and achieving operational efficiencies. Lovell Minnick, a Chicago-based fund manager, invests in a diverse range of business services, including technology. Its portfolio includes firms focused on the financial services industry, including ATTOM Data Solutions, Engage People, oneZero Financial, and Foreside Financial Group.
Insurance
The insurance industry is a vital subsector of the financial services industry, protecting individuals and businesses against liability, death, and property loss. Insurance services are provided by agents, brokers, and underwriters, who assess the risk of insuring a client’s assets and advise investment banks on lending risks. Reinsurers, meanwhile, provide insurance to other insurers to cover the risks of catastrophic events. The financial services industry is the largest in the world, with more than $1 trillion in total assets.
Deposit-taking
Banks and deposit-taking institutions are two of the three main legs of the financial system. These institutions hold and manage millions of Canadian dollars in their accounts and offer credit to both individuals and businesses. Successful banks do not hold all their deposits in safes. They instead invest them into bonds, stocks, and private equity ventures. This helps them remain financially healthy and competitive. Listed below are some of the benefits of bank deposit-taking.
Tax preparation
The industry is expected to grow by 7.6% by 2021. This is mainly due to a decline in unemployment rates, rising number of new job opportunities, and improved economic conditions. In addition, an increase in construction and residential activity has increased demand for manual labor, leading to a rise in demand for tax preparation services. However, a rising number of clients and the availability of free e-filing services could limit the demand for tax preparation services due to price sensitivity.
Payments
With 20 years of experience in payments, Paul Hadfield, CEO of Stax, has learned a lot about the industry. He started out in the basement of his dental practice and then in a startup ISO space with no windows. He needed gas to get to the next destination. Today, he helps financial institutions and merchants maximize client revenue by streamlining their payments process. Here are some of the most important trends in payments. Read on to learn more about Stax’s success and how you can use payments to transform your business.