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      The KPMG 2024 Banking CEO Outlook examines how today’s banking leaders are facing multifaceted and relentless challenges.

      Banking CEOs largely demonstrate confidence in the growth potential of their organizations. Main priorities for banking CEOs include continued investment in business transformation through technology, with generative AI (Gen AI) gaining prominence as a top investment.

      At the same time, banking CEOs feel pressure in the context of today’s uncertain geopolitical and macroeconomic environment.

      Talent is a key concern as banking CEOs attempt to attract and retain the professionals with the right skills to support technology-enabled business transformation. ESG is viewed as an important driver of growth that will continue to shape the banks’ behaviors and investments.

      The KPMG 2024 Banking CEO Outlook examines how banking CEOs plan to navigate this dynamic environment, adapt their business strategies, and drive success over the next three years.

      CEOs face a challenging balancing act, yet optimism is justified given the sector's positive evolution over the past 36 months. The industry's profitability and stability, along with improved risk management, position these institutions well to serve their clients and invest in emerging technologies, essential talent, and critical ESG efforts. The KPMG 2024 Banking CEO Outlook states that technology, driven by AI, is crucial for enhancing the value of banks.

      Juha-Pekka Mylén

      Head of Financial Services

       

       

      KPMG 2024 CEO Outlook Banking report

      KPMG 2024 Banking CEO Outlook

      The report offers key takeaways on growth, tech innovation, the workplace, and ESG for industry leaders.

      Key findings from our research

      66% of Banking CEOs are confident in the growth prospects of the Banking & Capital Markets Industry.
      81% see cybercrime/cyber insecurity as the top factor likely to have a negative impact on organizational growth over the next three years.
      58% of respondents anticipate receiving a significant rate of return on their ESG investments within three to five years.
      81% see gen AI as a top investment priority despite ongoing economic uncertainty.
      92% of Banking CEOs are likely to reward employees who make an effort to come into the office.

      Methodology

      The KPMG 2024 Banking CEO Outlook, part of the 10th edition of the KPMG 2024 KPMG CEO Outlook, is compiled from the views of 120 banking and capital markets chief executive officers, which was conducted between 25 July and 29 August 2024, providing unique insight into the mindset, strategies and planning tactics of CEOs.  

      All respondents oversee companies with annual revenues over US$500M, and a third of the companies surveyed have more than US$10B in annual revenue. The survey included CEOs from 11 key markets (Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Spain, UK, and US) and 11 key industry sectors, including banking and capital markets.

      In the banking sector research, the two largest sub-sectors were commercial banking (27 percent) and capital markets/investment banking (22 percent). The best-represented countries based on organizational headquarters are the US, followed by India, the UK, China, Canada and Germany.

      More information

      Juha-Pekka Mylén
      Juha-Pekka Mylén

      Head of Financial Services

      KPMG in Finland

       

       

      Tuomas Ilveskoski
      Tuomas Ilveskoski

      Partner, Regulatory Risk and Compliance, Financial Services

      KPMG in Finland