With the digital disruption of the competitive landscape of finance, investment banking roles are poised to experience significant growth. Projected data indicates that there will be a considerable increase in investment banking roles from 2025 to 2030, estimated to be about 70%. The increase of these roles is not by accident. The industry is rapidly transforming because of data. This is not just some economic news, as you all know, it is an industry move, and the time for commitment is now. The finance industry sees this fantastic opportunity and is mobilising towards a data-driven process. This is why we are in the moment to look at the upcoming opportunities. The difference between you and successful candidates is one word – opportunity – having the ability to create opportunities by using the proper skill set at the right point in time.
This blog offers an alternative perspective on the evolving investment banking landscape and guides how to position yourself in this exciting opportunity meaningfully. With the right tools and knowledge, you should not only be ready for the changes but also be in the lead with a key role in shaping the future of investment banking.
The Growing Importance of Analytical Skills in the Financial Services Industry
The evolution of investment banking analytical skill sets is already evolving. It is important to note that the increase in emphasis on data skills in banking is mainly driving this rapid evolution. That is, with an observed increase by 70% of data-driven roles, it seems even more critical for banking professionals to pursue an understanding of the importance of industry data research and analysis and how data adds value to banking.
The ability to engage and deploy data skills in communicating and understanding data analysis will therefore be critical. The above range of skills has wide-ranging implications in the following areas:
- Risk Management: Entry-level professionals with solid data skills will have the knowledge to identify, evaluate, and control exposure to financial risks, making better decisions.
- Customer Insight: Data analytics can provide insights into customer behaviour, allowing banks to develop an offering of products/services needed by a specific type of customer.
- Fraud Identification: Data analytics can identify aberrations in behaviour patterns and find evidence of potentially fraudulent activity for analysis.
It is important to note that the ability to take large amounts of data and turn it into usable strategy is highly sought after in the investment banking profession. One way to add value to data is through data visualisation. It produces a straightforward, concise, and compelling narrative of what the data is saying and aids decision-makers in choosing a path to follow.
In summary, it is essential to note that data is playing an increasingly relevant role in investment banking. The ability to harness insights from risk awareness and customer behaviour is no longer optional; the ability to sort through the data is becoming a prerequisite for success. The need to adapt to data is a requirement for anyone in the investment banking profession who wants to remain relevant.
The Data-Driven Role in Investment Banking is on the Rise and Unstoppable
The banking and investment sectors are experiencing an impending transformational change. The demand for data-driven decision-making has increased exponentially, especially in investment banking. Between 2020 and 2030, data-driven roles are expected to surge by 70 per cent, making banking operations and their future increasingly dominated by data. Multiple factors are contributing to this shift:
- New Technologies: The ongoing development of technology, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), has created a legitimate need for roles based around data analysis and data interpretation.
- Risk Management: Investment banking entails significant financial risk, and, as a result, the ability to sift through large amounts of data for risk analysis will only become more central in the sector.
- Operational Performance: By making decisions based on data, banks can operate more efficiently, provide better customer service, and improve their overall profitability.
In light of these developments, the specific job tasks associated with investment banking jobs are poised to increase considerably. To cite specific examples: data scientists, data developers, and data analysts are all going to be in significant demand given their expertise on the analysis and interpretation of data and their ability to extract patterns from large data sets. The same could be said for those positions that are related to the development of AI and ML. The positions that will have the highest expected growth in demand will likely be AI specialists and ML engineers.
Investment banking operations in the future, therefore, will become more data-driven. As the industry sees more positions targeted towards the analysis of data, we expect firms to scout for and hire people who have an understanding of data analytics roles to enhance their placement opportunities and ultimately create a new workforce/development model to respond to the emergent data demand trend, which includes the emerging adoption of AI and ML.
Expected Increase in Data-Based Roles in Investment Banking
The finance industry has always thrived in an ever-changing environment, and one of these sectors that will see 100% growth and position availability is investment banking. The anticipated job growth from 2025-2030 for data-based positions in investment banking is expected to grow by 70%. This increase is primarily derived from the rising prominence of big data, machine learning, and AI in decision-making.
There are three main reasons for this increase:
- A need for analytics: Investment banking roles are increasingly requiring skills in advanced analytics, as the vast amount of available data necessitates evidence-based decision-making.
- Regulatory and oversight role: The finance sector will always be heavily scrutinised and regulated. Regulators want the bank to provide data-backed explanations/reasons for their actions.
- Technology: A host of new and emerging AI and machine learning technologies have introduced innovative ways to provide investment banking services, including detailed and accurate financial predictions.
The job market is already responding to these changes. From surveys;
- 30% of all jobs in investment banking were data jobs in 2025
- 70% will be in 2030
So, the direction of travel in terms of investment banking roles is clear: there is a concerted movement towards data jobs. This is not speculation; it is already here. If you are thinking about getting into investment banking or moving up within it, then it would certainly be prudent to improve your data analytics skills to be a valuable employee.
The Growing Role of Data Analysis in the Finance Sector
Moving into a data-driven future, there is much to consider about how data analytics will influence the finance sector, including investment banking roles. Investment banks are always looking for new ways to leverage data analytics to make better decisions, predict market changes, and ultimately enhance performance.
Using data analytics in finance has numerous benefits:
- Risk Management: Investment banks can use predictive analytics to identify risks, their impact and proactively mitigate them.
- Understanding Customer Behaviour: By leveraging data analytics, investment banks can gain insights into customer behaviour and develop more effective strategies to meet customer needs through tailored products and services.
- Fraud detection: With an increasingly complex set of algorithms in place, data analytics will identify irregular patterns with the potential for fraudulent activity.
- Enhanced Decision Making: Data analytics provides actionable information to inform better decisions, ultimately driving revenue growth and potentially increasing profit.
The future of the investment banking roles is shaping up to be data-driven – below is a table indicating this growth from 2025 to 2030 in investment banking:
| Year | Year | Predicted Increase of Data-Driven Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 50% | |
| 2030 | 70% |
Data analytics in finance is both a more intuitive business practice and the next significant disruption in investment banking. Data analytics will transform the fast-thinking, ambitious role of the investment banker, helping to redefine new roles, streamline processes, and change the trajectory of the financial industry over the next two decades. Performing well in data analytics is a high-value, scalable skill in investment banking.
Unlocking Your Potential in the Growing Field of Investment Banking
With the demand for investment banking roles predicted to increase by 70% by 2025 – 2030, it is vital to equip yourself with the fundamental skills and knowledge to succeed in this new field. Focusing on banking career readiness is a great way to open new doors in financial services.
Three areas to consider for banking career readiness include:
- Digital Skills: The banking sector is moving towards digitalisation, so knowing how digital technologies work (i.e. blockchain, AI) is very important.
- Analytical Skills: Investment banking jobs require a high skill level in interpreting data. Developing a skill set to analyse data effectively will be necessary.
- Regulatory Aspects of Digital Financial Management: The rules of the road in the banking sector are changing daily, so knowing and understanding them is critical. Knowledge of local and global financial regulations will help you stand out as a candidate.
To prepare you for banking career readiness, you may want to consider additional training and/or related certifications. This will help you stand out as a candidate.
It is also equally important to stress that there will still be a need for soft skills (e.g. communication, leadership, problem-solving) in a data-driven industry. Capitalising on the development of both their technical skills and soft skills will help you increase your potential in today’s competitive landscape in investment banking. By concentrating primarily on these areas, you will be ensuring you are ready for the explosion of investment banking roles, and you will be prepared for a successful career in the finance sector.
Investment banking roles are proliferating across the financial sector. To get an edge, you must upskill and ensure you stay current with the latest developments in the industry. Imarticus Learning’s investment banking course is fully optimised for the opportunity we see emerging in the market. While we are consistent with the topics covered in this blog post, the program is designed to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the operations and functions of investment banking. The investment banking course will provide a practical experience within the industry, showcasing the best skills for operating in this ever-evolving, booming sector.
Explore new career pathways in investment banking by learning from industry experts while gaining an in-depth understanding of the sector. The course will not only provide you with the requisite theoretical input, in addition to sector exposure, but will leave you job-ready as well. The Imarticus Learning investment banking course will be your ticket to an exciting career in investment banking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are data-backed investment banking roles?
Data-driven investment banking roles are defined as positions in the investment banking sector that depend on the analysis of large sets of data and regular data interpretation to help determine investment decisions. These roles usually require the use of sophisticated statistical tools and approaches to interpret trends, predict market actions, and advise investments. They are becoming more crucial as the global banking industry inevitably moves closer to an entirely paperless, digital, and data-driven world.
Why are data-driven investment banking roles expected to increase by 70% between 2025 and 2030?
There are a few reasons projected for the increase in data-driven roles in investment banking. First, there is the ongoing digital disruption of the banking industry that is producing more data than we can even begin to think about analysing or interpreting. Second, advancements in data analysis technologies (like artificial intelligence and machine learning) will further enable those roles to leverage, analyse, and interpret the data in ways we couldn’t even consider before. Last, there is an increased awareness of the value that data analysis brings to decision-making in the banking industry. As such there is an increased need for professionals equipped with data analysis skills.
What skills are necessary to leverage data-driven investment banking roles?
Individuals looking to leverage data-driven roles in investment banking generally need to have a strong knowledge of finance, as well as an advanced skill set in data analysis. This includes advanced statistical analysis of data, data mining, predictive modelling, and machine learning algorithms. Having experience with regulations and ethical considerations around data privacy is also an essential skill that entrepreneurs and analysts will need to consider. Soft skills—including problem solving, decision-making, critical thinking and communication—are also an important factor, as these roles typically include presentations on complex data insights into a more easily understood format.
How can someone prepare for the surge of data-driven investment banking roles?
Ideally, preparation for data-driven investment banking roles should include both education and practical experience. A formal education in finance, statistics, computer science or an allied field will provide the formal educational context. Practical knowledge and skills can be developed through internships, projects, or previous jobs that allow for data analysis. Lastly, being up to date on current industry trends and technologies will be critical.
What is the outlook for data-driven investment banking roles?
The outlook for data-driven investment banking roles is very promising, considering the expectation for growth in demand. This suggests that these roles will become increasingly critical as more banking institutions recognise the value of data evaluation in their decision-making processes. As new technologies emerge and existing technologies and methodologies evolve, we can expect data-driven investment banking to also grow in demand.