The Times Australia
Fisher and Paykel Appliances
Business and Money

Top 3 Trends in the Financial Services Industry

  • Written by NewsServices.com

The financial services industry is one that is constantly changing, especially with the advancements of technology and the rise of digitisation. 2021 has seen many major transformations in the space, with a few certain trends leading the charge.

Keep reading to learn what these trends are and how the financial services industry is currently changing.


Contactless and cashless finances


The 2020 coronavirus pandemic has changed the world to accommodate for social distancing and minimised direct contact. In the financial services industry, this has directly resulted in the rise of contactless and cashless finances. According to a forecast report by the Market Research Firm, the global contactless payment market size is expected to grow by $8 billion between 2020 and 2025, at a rate of 11.7% compound annual growth rate.

This trend affects not only individuals making payments, but also businesses. As more and more traditional financial players (such as banks) and other independent financial service companies introduce contactless and cashless features to their services, both individuals and businesses are looking to capitalise on the convenience and accessibility of such new facilities. In fact, many businesses are opting for contactless and cashless services such as virtual corporate cards for business purchases.


Work-from-home solutions


The financial services industry is also experiencing changes in internal operations, with the 2020 coronavirus pandemic shifting in-office work to work-from-home systems. Although no longer working together face-to-face, some employees have found increased productivity working from the comfort of their own home.

Not only has this many many corporate businesses in the financial sector providing VPNs for their employees working from home, many have also budgeted for ergonomic at-home set ups for their employees. Work-from-home solutions have risen to the forefront, especially for businesses in the financial services sector requiring high-speed connectivity, responsive computer systems and large storage spaces.


Incorporation of robotics and AI


Robotics and AI (artificial intelligence) are expected to be further incorporated into the world of financial services. This is especially the case as banks and other financial sector players digitise their systems to meet the growing needs of clients while also maintaining healthy profit margins. Robotics and AI also assist businesses in the financial services industry to meet their increasing legal obligations while still operating efficiently.

Robotics and AI are used commonly to power chatbots on financial sector business websites, as they help provide round-the-clock assistance to customers in a more personalised way. AI and robotics can also help with analytics and protection, to detect fraud and enforce any other regulatory compliances. Robotics and AI have triggered other innovations in the industry, including voice commerce, AI advisors and biometric-based authentication features.


Technology transforming the financial services industry


As technology continues to advance in ways never predicted before, the financial services space is also changing to incorporate more of such technology to grow effectively as an industry.

There are many trends involving technology which are transforming the financial services world today, including contactless and cashless payment finances, work-from-home solutions and the incorporation of robotics and AI. It is important to keep an eye on these trends as they are sure to influence the future direction of the industry, and many others as well.

Times Magazine

This Christmas, Give the Navman Gift That Never Stops Giving – Safety

Protect your loved one’s drives with a Navman Dash Cam.  This Christmas don’t just give – prote...

Yoto now available in Kmart and The Memo, bringing screen-free storytelling to Australian families

Yoto, the kids’ audio platform inspiring creativity and imagination around the world, has launched i...

Kool Car Hire

Turn Your Four-Wheeled Showstopper into Profit (and Stardom) Have you ever found yourself stand...

EV ‘charging deserts’ in regional Australia are slowing the shift to clean transport

If you live in a big city, finding a charger for your electric vehicle (EV) isn’t hard. But driv...

How to Reduce Eye Strain When Using an Extra Screen

Many professionals say two screens are better than one. And they're not wrong! A second screen mak...

Is AI really coming for our jobs and wages? Past predictions of a ‘robot apocalypse’ offer some clues

The robots were taking our jobs – or so we were told over a decade ago. The same warnings are ...

The Times Features

What’s been happening on the Australian stock market today

What moved, why it moved and what to watch going forward. 📉 Market overview The benchmark S&am...

The NDIS shifts almost $27m a year in mental health costs alone, our new study suggests

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was set up in 2013[1] to help Australians with...

Why Australia Is Ditching “Gym Hop Culture” — And Choosing Fitstop Instead

As Australians rethink what fitness actually means going into the new year, a clear shift is emergin...

Everyday Radiance: Bevilles’ Timeless Take on Versatile Jewellery

There’s an undeniable magic in contrast — the way gold catches the light while silver cools it down...

From The Stage to Spotify, Stanhope singer Alyssa Delpopolo Reveals Her Meteoric Rise

When local singer Alyssa Delpopolo was crowned winner of The Voice last week, the cheers were louder...

How healthy are the hundreds of confectionery options and soft drinks

Walk into any big Australian supermarket and the first thing that hits you isn’t the smell of fr...

The Top Six Issues Australians Are Thinking About Today

Australia in 2025 is navigating one of the most unsettled periods in recent memory. Economic pre...

How Net Zero Will Adversely Change How We Live — and Why the Coalition’s Abandonment of That Aspiration Could Be Beneficial

The drive toward net zero emissions by 2050 has become one of the most defining political, socia...

Menulog is closing in Australia. Could food delivery soon cost more?

It’s been a rocky road for Australia’s food delivery sector. Over the past decade, major platfor...