Global Banking and Capital Markets in a New World Order

Global banking & Capital Markets, possibly more than any other industry, is subject to a kaleidoscope of influences and challenges. As a new world order is created by unexpected political affiliations and MAGA decisions by the Trump Administration, there are near-sighted issues to consider, such as government debt, trade wars and global banking policy, as well as far-sighted ones, such as the potential impact of the conceptual Mar-a-Lago Accord on the international monetary system.

Banking leaders were already under pressure regarding productivity, profitability, tech transformation, disruptors, cybersecurity, cryptocurrencies, and, potentially, quantum computing risks to blockchain. In this environment, attracting and retaining talent, while ensuring the well-being and resilience of banking leaders and their teams is ever more complex. Compensation faces downward pressure from a P&L perspective, and upward pressure from Millennials and digital natives attracted to other industries on the tech frontier.

“At the most basic levels we are seeing some startling thinking, affecting the very notion of ‘currency,’ the direction of capital flows, and the management of government debt. 

From a people perspective there are nuances worthy of attention: in the corporate context, work from home (WFH); and in the external context, politically-driven issues influencing career decisions, such as climate concerns (ESG) and diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI). These important values in the talent market are being fundamentally challenged by shifts in the political mindset. More broadly, leaders of banks and other big global corporations are working in a faster cycle of strategic and tactical decision-making, as they strive to reconcile their understanding of the global ‘balance sheet’ with their own portfolio of assets and liabilities”.

- Lorne Campbell
Managing Partner
Global Leader, Banking & Capital Markets

This report was developed by Boyden’s Financial Services Practice, drawing on the expertise of our Banking & Capital Markets specialists. To learn more about our capabilities and how we support financial institutions in navigating leadership and talent challenges, we invite you to connect with our team.