Women & Wealth

How can Asset Managers create a sustainable advantage?
Investors increasingly want to put their money to use in ways that reflect their personal values. Alongside the traditional security, liquidity and yield criteria, another factor is gaining ground: social purpose.
It’s a softer value for a new generation that wants to invest in more sustainable outcomes. But some asset managers don’t do ‘soft’. Many believe their brand is so synonymous with their heritage that they must continue to embody the values of yesteryear – because that is what clients expect.
But no firm progresses by standing still. And by ignoring investor demands, asset managers are reducing their ability to attract new clients, retain existing ones, and foster meaningful innovation.
FEMALE FINANCIAL POWER
One of the most obvious areas in which the industry is falling behind is gender diversity. The mere mention of this topic might cause some to roll their eyes, but that is precisely the problem.
Half the population are female and women’s share of wealth is growing rapidly. Research by the Boston Consulting Group found that private wealth held by women grew from $34trn in 2010 to $51trn in 2015.
Women are also expected to hold $72trn, 32% of total private wealth, by 2020.
Why then are asset managers still underserving female clients and underrepresenting women in their workforces?
To read the full report from Editions Financial, please click the download button (top right).