Introduction

A year ago, we published a comprehensive article on the implications of AI on leadership in banking. This week, the World Economic Forum released its annual report on job trends, offering key insights that align with our previous conclusions.

Here’s what banking leaders and workers need to know

1. Fastest- and largest-growing jobs, and declining roles by 2030:

Growing jobs:

• Big data specialists.
• FinTech engineers.
• AI and machine learning specialists.
• Security management specialists.
• Project managers.

Declining roles:

• Bank tellers and clerks.
• Administrative and Executive assistants.
• Accounting and payroll clerks.
• Accountants and auditors.
• Legal officials.

2. Skills disruption:

• 39% of workers’ core skills will change by 2030.

3. Key skills required:

• In 2025: Analytical thinking, resilience, leadership, creative thinking.
• By 2030: AI, big data, cybersecurity, technological literacy, creative thinking.

4. Upskilling trends:

• Over 40% of workers will need upskilling by 2030.
• 29% will upskill in their current role, 19% will upskill and redeploy, while 11% may be left behind.

5. Employer strategies to adapt to tech-led changes:

• Workforce upskilling: 85%.
• Accelerating automation: 73%.
• Hiring new skilled staff: 70%.
• Integrating human and tech: 63%.
• Transitioning staff to new roles: 51%.
• Staff reduction: 41%.

Conclusions

For financial leaders, these trends signal profound implications for business models, workforce sustainability, and personal leadership trajectories. The coming decade will not only demand sharper strategic foresight but also a renewed commitment to continuous learning, agility, and responsible innovation.

Are you strategically preparing for these structural changes, for your institution and yourself?