The very idea that the field of wealth management exists would amaze your not-too-distant ancestors. Looking for wealth management exit opportunities would seem even more fantastical. Fortunately, there are tens of millions of individuals who have accumulated sufficient wealth to make wealth management an important and growing field.
A New Field with New Opportunities
Until the 18th century, the wealth of the world was held by a very small number of individuals. The average person was concerned with survival, not wealth creation or management. Retirement was a stage of life very few worried about attaining.
The great wealth creation process of the past two centuries has created the need for professionals in the field. That, in turn, has seen the growth in a variety of wealth management career opportunities.
All major banks and financial institutions have responded to this need. They have created special capabilities to aid their more prosperous clients with a wide selection of financial needs. This reality means the wealth management career path has never been more popular. The profession continues to expand and is developing many specialties within the field.
For many individuals, the wealth management profession provides an excellent entry point in financial services. The process provides great opportunities for learning and developing skills in financial management. This creates significant market value for you as those skills allow you to serve wealthier and more sophisticated clients.
One of the more significant aspects of a wealth management career is exposure to prosperous clients. Learning to meet the expectations and working with these individuals gives you a unique perspective and market value.
Well-known writer and financial expert Robert Kiyosaki makes the point, “It’s not how much money you make, but how much money you keep, how hard it works for you, and how many generations you keep it for.” That, in essence, is the concept of wealth management.
As a wealth manager, you gain skills at helping individuals maximize the value of their money. That means you have real market value for those people and the firms that serve them. Additionally, you build a growing list of contacts and associations with individuals who require effective wealth management.
Looking Beyond: Wealth Management Exit Opportunities
You may find the field of wealth management a challenging career. You may find success with a good firm and enjoy building a long-term career in that organization. On the other hand, many individuals choose to explore opportunities that better leverage their skills and experience.
If you are curious about wealth management exit opportunities, consider the following:
- The U.S. wealth management industry was worth more than $29 trillion as of Q3 2020.
- More than $73 trillion will be in assets under management by 2025.
- Millennials will hold 500 percent more in assets by 2030 than they do today
- Digital tools are transforming the entire wealth management industry.
These few statistics show a massive market that is continually evolving and providing a growing number of exciting opportunities. This means the organizations that exist must evolve to serve customers efficiently. It also means many new products, services, and offerings will find a willing market.
If you are considering what wealth management exit opportunities you should explore, you might consider one or more of the areas below. For example, you might ask, “Can you move from wealth management to investment banking?”
That answer, as well as for each of the areas below, will depend on your specific situation. Each area requires certain skills and experience. This makes it important to consider the general direction for your potential exit strategy.
Then, while you are involved in the wealth management industry, seek out training and experience that matches those desires. Adding important elements to your resume will enhance your value in specific financial industry segments.
Investment Banking
The primary function of investment banks is to provide growth and working capital for larger corporations and businesses. This often requires excellent analytical skills and experience in the valuation of firms. Negotiations that focus on the price of capital and arranging financing structures are a key part of the investment banker’s function.
Alternative Investment Firm
An increasing proportion of assets are directed to non-traditional investment vehicles. This includes use in private equity, hedge funds, real estate firms, and energy investments. Gaining experience in any one or several of these areas in your wealth management work will provide solid insights into which field you may prefer.
Full-Service Institutions & Banking
Banking continues to perform essential services for both individuals and companies. As banks grow larger and more powerful, they add more specialties that require unique skills and experience. Moving from the wealth management side to other divisions of a bank is a popular exit opportunity.
Family Offices
Perhaps one of the biggest growth areas in private asset management is in family offices. Over the past decade, the number of private family offices has grown to more than 7,500, with more coming. Many family offices specialize in certain types of investments. At the same time, the basics of wealth management are important to almost all these organizations. Working with a family office usually means a smaller group that maintains a lower, private profile. If that interests you, a family office may be a good choice.
Fintech
This is a term and a field that covers a broad range of opportunities. The idea of financial technology is relatively new. It encompasses direct user interfaces such as apps and online financial platforms. It can also apply to front and back-office services for other financial institutions.
If you are particularly adept with computers, systems, and software, the Fintech segment is forecast to grow to nearly $335 billion by 2028 (from $112 billion in 2021). That level of growth will present many rewarding opportunities. That includes everything from startups to established financial service firms.
Matching Your Plan with Exit Opportunities
The key takeaway is that the wealth management career path is a win-win choice for most individuals. First, you win if you stay in the field and expand your expertise, contact base, and financial knowledge and skills. Secondly, you are positioning yourself to have a variety of opportunities in other financial service market segments.
The challenge is to focus on which special skills and experiences will make you most attractive in your desired career path. Taking the time to assess what training and certifications you should pursue will pay big dividends over time. Likewise, this will enhance your value in the wealth management exit opportunities that most attract you.
Above all, building a network of contacts, associates, and clients in the wealth management field will be one of our most valuable assets. While focusing on skills, put an equal priority on gaining exposure to the key players in your specific field.
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