Executive summary
Despite persistent headlines of uncertainty, Australia’s financial services leaders are leaning into growth. What emerged from the survey was a picture of cautious optimism, with 67 per cent of respondents feeling optimistic or very optimistic about the economic outlook over the next 12 months.
Digital transformation is clearly a growth engine, with two‑thirds of respondents reporting that digital transformation underpins more than half of their growth plans, but it’s not just about technology - the results of survey have shown that leaders are also investing in people, as many expressed concerns over employee engagement and retention, reminding us that transformation must be human-centred to succeed.
Leaders are not only capitalising on their confidence but are deliberately using it to build resilience for the future. Investment in technology, processes and people is designed to absorb the impact of future market blips and regulatory shocks, ensuring that short‑term volatility does not derail long‑term ambitions. This shift from cost‑cutting to value creation is reinforced by strong access to funding, with equity the dominant source, though some sectors, such as wealth and asset management, face tighter conditions.
In this environment, it is critical that leaders continue to focus on disciplined execution that stands up to boards and regulators while continuing to invest in innovation to keep up with the speed of change.