Europe’s wealth management industry is at a turning point. Digital disruption, economic volatility, and new client expectations are reshaping what it takes to compete and grow. Drawing on market analysis, industry data, and conversations with wealth management leaders, this article identifies the forces driving change – and offers a practical roadmap for firms ready to turn disruption into opportunity.
Navigating a shifting landscape
European wealth managers face a mix of challenges: slowing economic growth, rising costs, and tightening regulation. In 2023, Europe’s private wealth grew by only 3%, compared with 5.3% globally (BCG Global Wealth Report 2023). Inflation, higher interest rates, and geopolitical uncertainty have made clients more risk-aware, forcing advisers to rethink portfolio strategies.
At the same time, clients are demanding digital-first services and real-time data capabilities. According to Deloitte’s 2024 Wealth Management Outlook, over 60% of high-net-worth clients now expect dashboards with live portfolio updates, scenario simulations, and instant performance insights. Yet many European firms still rely on fragmented legacy IT systems, slowing response times and raising costs. PwC’s Digital Banking Survey 2023 found that 37% of Swiss wealth managers still use over ten disconnected systems – making real-time data integration a challenge.
Regulatory change adds complexity. New European regulations demand detailed disclosures and stricter reporting standards, which can only be delivered efficiently through integrated data pipelines and automated reporting tools.
Meanwhile, the generational wealth transfer is accelerating. By 2030, millennials and Gen Z are projected to inherit around US$68 trillion globally (Cerulli Associates). This cohort expects hyper-personalised advice, digital engagement, and values-driven investing – forcing firms to rethink traditional Advisery models.
The forces reshaping growth
- Digital transformation as a strategic lever
Modern wealth platforms now use real-time data streaming (e.g., via APIs and data lakes) to deliver up-to-the-minute portfolio performance, risk alerts, and compliance checks. Firms are piloting portfolio curation tools that simulate market scenarios live – helping advisers respond instantly to client questions.
- The rise of personalisation at scale
AI and behavioural analytics can map each client’s financial history, risk profile, and life events to generate hyper-personalised investment strategies. Capgemini’s World Wealth Report 2023 found that 45% of clients are dissatisfied with generic digital tools – an opportunity for firms adopting predictive analytics and recommendation engines.
- Empowering clients through self-service tools
Modern platforms integrate interactive dashboards, chatbot support, and scenario planning tools giving clients transparency and control. Far from replacing advisers, these tools enhance the relationship by providing data-driven insights on demand. Infront offers a white-labelled Wealth Portal for end clients which we could use as the example here. It is also now available as a mobile app.
- Consolidation and FinTech partnerships driving agility
To modernise quickly, larger firms are acquiring boutique firms or integrating FinTech APIs.
- Demographics redefining the market
Millennials are twice as likely as baby boomers to value sustainable investing (Morgan Stanley, Sustainable Signals 2023). They also expect app-based onboarding, instant access to advisers via chat, and personalised video reports.
Turning insight into action: an industry playbook
Four strategic imperatives stand out to drive future growth in wealth management:
1. Accelerate digital transformation
Integrate real-time data feeds (e.g., via data lakes or cloud-native platforms) to enable instant portfolio analysis and risk alerts.
Example: With the platforms like the Infront Wealth Portal, financial service providers in wealth management can offer their clients an innovative white-label platform. This allows investors to gain a simple and direct overview of their investments and portfolios, ensuring maximum transparency.
2. Expand investment offerings
To meet SFDR requirements and rising client demand, firms should build dynamic fund and investment dashboards, and integrate live third-party data to monitor sustainability risks in portfolios.
Example: AXA Belgium partnered with Infront to create a fund platform with advanced search, interactive visuals and automated factsheets, ensuring a client-friendly experience fully aligned with MiFID and PRIIPs.
3. Target next-generation and under-served client segments
Modern platforms can segment clients dynamically, offering mobile-first content, interactive financial education, and AI-driven nudges that encourage engagement.
4. Enhance client-centric Advisery models
Combine human advice with AI-driven scenario simulations, real-time alerts, and behavioural finance tools that detect changes in client sentiment.
Key questions to guide your digital transformation strategy:
To turn ambition into measurable progress, leaders should ask – and answer – specific, practical questions that test readiness across technology, client experience, and organisational capability:
- Are we equipping clients and advisers with real-time, actionable insights?
Audit your data infrastructure to ensure dashboards and analytics deliver instant visibility into portfolio performance and market changes.
- How effectively are AI and machine learning embedded in daily operations?
Evaluate whether these tools personalise advice, detect emerging risks, and automate manual tasks so advisers can focus on high-value conversations.
- Do our clients enjoy a truly seamless, omnichannel experience?
Review the client journey to ensure onboarding, communication, and transactions work effortlessly across web, mobile, and in-person touchpoints.
- Is compliance built into our digital architecture?
Examine how regulatory data, such as KYC and reporting requirements, are integrated to reduce manual intervention and ensure audit readiness.
- Which client segments or markets are underserved by current digital offerings?
Use analytics to pinpoint new opportunities – such as next-generation wealth holders, entrepreneurs, or cross-border investors.
- Are we leveraging external innovation?
Identify potential FinTech partnerships, open APIs, or modular platforms to add features quickly without large-scale IT overhauls.
- Do we have the right talent mix?
Assess whether teams combine deep financial knowledge with data science and digital product skills to translate technology into client value. By addressing these key questions, wealth managers can move from aspiration to concrete action – building a digital-first, client-centric model ready to address future challenges.
Shaping the future, not waiting for it
Economic volatility, tighter regulation, and rising costs are real – but also open the door to bold transformation. Firms that invest in real-time data capabilities, AI-powered tools, and fully integrated digital platforms can turn disruption into differentiation.
Consider this: FinTech adoption in wealth management could double by 2026 (EY). Clients increasingly expect seamless, data-rich, and mobile-first engagement – delivered at scale, without losing human connection.
Wealth managers today must combine digital mastery with human insight – using real-time data to deliver personalised, seamless client experiences. Now is the moment to revisit your digital strategy, modernise core systems, and proactively engage the next generation of clients before assets shift to more agile competitors.
Lead the change with clarity and purpose – or risk being left behind.
This article is an extract from our detailed White Paper on the future of European wealth management, including deeper analysis, real-world case studies, and practical digital transformation strategies.
Download the full white paper to discover how to turn today’s disruption into tomorrow’s growth.
Interested in reading the European WealthTech Landscape Report 2025? You can read the report online here.
About The European Wealth Landscape Report 2025
The European WealthTech Landscape Report 2025 is a new WealthTech Landscape Report from The Wealth Mosaic, focused on the wealth management sector in Europe.
With the rapid pace of change in financial services, understanding technology's impact on this sector is more crucial than ever. This Europe-focused Landscape Report features a series of insightful articles that explore the trends, challenges, and innovations surrounding technology adoption in wealth management. Contributions come from a range of organisations, including AWS, Croesus, Deloitte, ERI, EY, Fincite, Finfox, First Rate, Infront, Intellect Design Arena, Moneyfarm, Raise Partner and WealthOS.
The articles you will find within the report provide valuable perspectives on how technology is transforming the wealth management industry. They discuss various aspects of technology adoption, from the latest innovations to how firms can leverage technology to enhance client engagement, streamline operations, and comply with regulatory demands.
We trust you find this report invaluable to your business needs and supportive of your understanding of the fast-moving technology marketplace surrounding the European wealth management market.
Click here for more information.
About The WealthTech Landscape Report Series
Our goal with our WealthTech Landscape Reports (WTLRs) is to collate relevant, insightful content and comments from both wealth managers and vendors operating in a specific region. Each WTLR is founded on a curated directory of hundreds of relevant technology and related solution providers to the business needs of the wealth management community in focus. The directory is supported by a rich variety of thought leadership articles and interviews with industry participants from both buy and sell side, plus a section of Solution Showcases. We also look at country, regional, and sectoral trends.
If you are interested in contributing to our editorial projects, don't hesitate to get in touch.
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