Mar 27: CFA Institute has released a new global research report titled Next-Gen Investors: A Guide for Wealth Managers and Financial Advisers, highlighting how Gen Z and millennial mass-affluent, high-net-worth (HNW), and very-high-net-worth (VHNW) investors are redefining the future of private wealth management.
As significant wealth transitions to younger generations worldwide, the report explores how their expectations, behaviours, and engagement models differ from those of Gen X and Baby Boomers—signaling a shift in how financial advice must be delivered.
The study is based on insights from over 2,400 investors across India, Canada, Singapore, the UAE, the UK, and the US. It reveals a strong demand for financial advice among younger investors, alongside a preference for digital-first, personalised, and transparent engagement models.
In India, the findings point to a highly engaged and digitally native investor base. More than 95% of respondents expect to inherit wealth, with 85% anticipating this transition within the next decade. This reflects a forward-looking cohort preparing for increased financial responsibility, underscoring the importance of multigenerational wealth planning and technology-enabled advisory solutions.
Commenting on the findings, Pankaj Sharma said:
“India’s wealth management landscape is being reshaped by rising participation in capital markets and increased use of digital investment platforms. Gen Z and millennial investors are digitally fluent, highly engaged, and open to diverse asset classes, while continuing to place strong trust in human advisers. This creates an opportunity for wealth managers to combine human expertise with technology to deliver transparent and aligned advice.”
Rhodri Preece added:
“Younger high-net-worth investors are reshaping wealth management in fundamental ways. They expect real-time access, frequent digital engagement, broader investment options, and advice that integrates life goals with long-term financial strategies.”
Key insights from the report include:
- Strong demand for advice: Over 90% of Gen Z and millennial investors use paid financial advice, with many engaging advisers monthly.
- Digital-first behaviour: Younger investors rely heavily on online resources, with some already using generative AI for financial learning.
- FOMO-driven investing: Around 55% report making investment decisions influenced by fear of missing out, particularly in emerging asset classes like cryptocurrencies.
- Evolving trust metrics: Trust is defined not only by ethics but also by transparency, credentials, performance, and data security.
- Human + tech balance: While digital tools are widely used, human advisers remain the most trusted source of guidance.
The findings highlight a broader transformation in wealth management, where firms must move beyond traditional models to deliver scalable, technology-enabled, and personalised advisory services.
