8 Essential Trends for Finance brands from 2024: Insights for Brand Managers

The financial sector is advancing quickly, embracing innovative strategies to keep pace with shifting client and customer needs, digital transformations, and competitive pressures. Here are eight pivotal trends finance brand managers should watch closely as they shape the industry in 2025.

1. Educational Content is Key
The complexity of financial services often leaves clients bewildered when facing decisions on investments, savings, or loans. This knowledge gap creates a growing demand for content that educates and simplifies financial concepts. For instance,according to Invoca nearly 90% of mortgage clients begin their journey with an online search, underscoring the need for finance brands to provide digestible, expert content that creates trust and guides consumer decisions​. Asset managers and finance firms can develop a series of webinars or online courses covering essential topics like investment strategies, risk management, and market analysis. These offerings can target corporate clients and financial advisors, providing valuable insights and certifications that enhance their professional development. Additionally, firms can create downloadable guides and infographics to simplify complex financial concepts, sharing them through email newsletters and social media to educate their audience.

2. Emphasis on Digital-First Journeys
The digital age has redefined how clients interact with financial brands. With over 97% of millennials using mobile banking, finance companies can no longer rely solely on in-person experiences. Digital touchpoints, such as mobile apps and SEO-driven content, are central to building relationships with a tech-savvy audience who value convenience and speed over traditional investments and banking methods​. To thrive in a digital-first landscape, finance firms should invest in user-friendly mobile apps that enable clients to track investments, view performance metrics, and access resources anytime, anywhere. By utilising SEO best practices, firms can ensure that their websites rank well for relevant search terms, making it easier for potential clients to find essential information and resources online.

3. Data-Driven Personalization Enhances Engagement
Personalization through AI is transforming client experiences, with real-time data enabling brands to tailor offers, notifications, and services to individual preferences. Studies show that 77% of banking leaders see personalized customer experiences as critical for retention. By embracing and utilising AI’s analytical power, brands can anticipate client needs, enhancing loyalty and satisfaction​. By employing AI tools to analyze client data, asset managers can create personalized investment recommendations and reports tailored to each client’s financial history and goals. This approach might include sending tailored newsletters or targeted marketing campaigns that address specific client needs. Implementing a robust CRM system can further help track client interactions and preferences, allowing for more personalized communication that resonates with individual clients.

4. Outsourcing Content Creation for Maximum ROI
Developing content can be resource-intensive, and the skill set required for effective financial marketing often lies outside traditional in-house capabilities. Consequently, 53% of senior marketers now look to outsource for Martech support, filling skill gaps that enable firms to focus on strategy while experts handle execution. With 64% of financial services’ organic traffic coming from search, outsourcing specialized content is a strategic investment​. To maximize their content marketing efforts, finance firms can partner with specialised agencies to produce high-quality articles, white-papers, or case studies that showcase their expertise in asset management. By leveraging freelance financial writers or industry experts, firms can generate insightful content for blogs, podcasts, or videos, enhancing their credibility in the market while filling skill gaps within their in-house marketing teams.

5. The Rise of Short-Form and Interactive Video
Video continues to dominate as a high-engagement format, especially for younger demographics. Platforms like TikTok and YouTube have seen rapid growth in usage among Gen Z, prompting finance brands to explore short-form videos to boost brand awareness. With 30% of marketers planning to increase short-form video investments, the format’s appeal is clear: it simplifies complex financial topics and keeps clients engaged​. Firms should consider creating short explainer videos that break down complex financial products or market trends, sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or including them in email campaigns to engage busy professionals. Hosting live Q&A sessions on social media platforms can also foster a sense of community, allowing for real-time interaction and addressing current market conditions or investment strategies.

.6. The Crucial Role of First-Party Data
With third-party cookies phasing out, first-party data has become indispensable. This transition benefits finance brands, allowing for precise targeting and stronger customer relationships. Finance brands collecting first-party data can maintain high engagement rates, building trust and enabling more secure, personalized interactions​. With the shift away from third-party cookies, finance brands must focus on collecting first-party data. Implementing data collection tools on their websites can help gather information about visitor preferences and behaviors, which can refine targeting strategies for future marketing efforts. Additionally, creating personalized client dashboards that showcase relevant content, performance analytics, and investment insights based on collected data will enhance the client experience.

7. Adopting Inclusive Marketing Practices
The financial industry faces ongoing challenges in serving diverse communities equitably. Brands are increasingly addressing these gaps with inclusive marketing efforts, such as offering multilingual resources. By prioritizing financial inclusion, companies build client loyalty and broaden their market reach, recognizing that an inclusive strategy is good for both business and community impact​. To address the diverse needs of their audience, finance firms should ensure that their marketing materials are available in multiple languages and cater to various cultural backgrounds. Engaging with community organizations can provide insights into the specific financial needs of underrepresented groups, enabling firms to co-create financial literacy programs that promote inclusion and build client loyalty.

8. Hyper-Personalized Communication for Younger Audiences
Younger generations are increasingly selective about their banking partners, with Gen Z particularly favoring direct, informal, and personalized messaging. To remain relevant, finance brands are adopting agile communication strategies, leveraging platforms like Instagram and TikTok. AI-powered customization further refines these interactions, ensuring that messages resonate across diverse platforms and consumer segments​. To attract younger professionals, finance brands should develop a robust social media strategy utilizing platforms like Instagram and TikTok. By sharing investment tips, market insights, and interactive polls, firms can engage a demographic that values personalization and direct communication. Implementing AI chatbots on their websites can further enhance client interactions by providing instant responses to inquiries, ensuring a quick and personalized experience that resonates with younger audiences.

For finance brands, the challenge lies in adopting these trends while meeting regulatory requirements and maintaining client trust. By prioritizing digital transformation, educational content, and personalized experiences, brand managers can navigate this evolving landscape with confidence, positioning their brands as both innovative and consumer-centric.