The “Future State of the Investment Industry” report is a road map for investment leaders and professionals. It frames the most significant developments that will affect the industry over the next 5–10 years, identifies the resulting opportunities, and provides insights to help industry leaders and professionals navigate the transition and improve client outcomes.

Four key scenarios are identified: Diverging Worlds, Sustainable Finance, Digital Transformation, and The End of Cheap Money. These scenarios are explored in the context of the large-scale, interrelated forces impacting the world. These include deglobalization, geopolitical conflict, inequality, and demographic disruptions, all of which have created a more segmented world in which firms will need to create tailored and differentiated products.

This report will help investment leaders and professionals gird for the volatility and increasing complexity they will face in the coming years. The ability to convert the key scenarios into opportunities to serve clients and stakeholders will determine their future viability.

The report is informed by input from a survey of more than 3,000 CFA Institute members in late 2022 and consultation with industry leaders. It revisits the findings and recommendations in our 2017 report, “Future State of the Investment Profession.”

Actionable Takeaways

• Leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to improve processes and deliver innovative investment solutions.
• Develop personalized products and be positioned for new opportunities in active management.
• Focus on talent acquisition strategy and up-skilling.
• Incorporate systems thinking when developing an investment strategy aligned to the net-zero transition.