What Are the Best Financial Services to Offer Right Now?

In an era of economic uncertainty, digital transformation, and shifting consumer expectations, financial services firms are seeking new ways to create value for clients while remaining competitive. Ibrahim Mardam-Bey, a renowned financier and dealmaker with deep expertise in structured finance and capital markets, has long emphasized the importance of innovation and adaptability in financial services. With trends in fintech, regulatory landscapes, and market demands evolving rapidly, offering the right financial services can make or break a firm's growth strategy in 2025 and beyond.


1. Wealth Management & Financial Planning

Wealth management is a premium service to provide in light of inflation worries, erratic markets, and a growing desire for financial independence. Both millennials and high-net-worth individuals are looking for thorough, individualized financial counsel. There is a great need for services like estate preparation, retirement planning, and portfolio management. More significantly, businesses get a competitive edge by using tax-advantaged methods and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investment possibilities. This sector has also grown thanks to robo-advisors, which have made wealth services available to a larger spectrum of investors.

2. Cryptocurrency Advisory and Custody Solutions

Digital assets have cemented their place in the modern portfolio, and more investors are seeking secure ways to buy, store, and understand cryptocurrencies. Financial service providers who can offer education, advisory, and secure custody services for crypto stand to gain significantly. In addition, regulatory clarity is starting to emerge in regions like the U.S. and EU, creating a more favorable environment for institutional and retail crypto investment. Offering cold storage solutions, compliance consulting, and even NFT asset management could attract tech-savvy clients.

3. Business Lending and Financing Services

Despite being the foundation of many economies, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) frequently face difficulties obtaining funding. A significant source of income is made available by entering the SME lending market, particularly with fintech-driven underwriting. Asset-based lending, invoice finance, and peer-to-peer lending platforms are all becoming more popular. Businesses also look for specialized finance solutions for tech upgrades, M&A activity, and supply chain development. Businesses that can combine digital loan origination systems with traditional banking are gaining market share.

4. Financial Education and Literacy Platforms

Surprisingly, financial literacy remains low across many demographics. With the rise of retail investors and younger consumers taking charge of their finances, financial education has become a valuable service. Financial institutions and independent consultants are increasingly offering online courses, webinars, budget planning tools, and one-on-one coaching. Subscription-based financial literacy platforms offer recurring revenue and help build client trust. This not only positions firms as thought leaders but creates a gateway to upsell other services like investment advisory and insurance.

5. Insurance Tech Services (InsurTech)

Innovation is welcome in the insurance industry. InsurTech platforms that use AI and automation to streamline insurance purchasing, claims handling, and underwriting are becoming more and more important. Providing digital insurance brokerage services can result in consistent revenue, particularly when it comes to life, health, and cyber insurance. Combining insurance with other financial services (like wealth plans or house loans) increases customer value and fosters loyalty.

6. Green Finance and ESG Consulting

Sustainable finance is no longer a niche. Corporations, investors, and even governments are integrating ESG criteria into their financial decisions. Financial service providers that can advise on green bonds, sustainable project financing, and ESG compliance reporting are in demand. Beyond large corporations, even startups and mid-sized firms are being pushed to show ESG alignment for funding or partnerships. Offering ESG scoring, sustainability audits, and green portfolio options creates strong differentiation.

7. Digital Banking and Neobank Solutions

Traditional financial institutions are still being disrupted by digital-first banking. A younger, mobile-first user base can be reached by establishing a neobank or collaborating with an already-existing one. Consumer adoption is being fueled by services like fee-free accounts, fast money transfers, budgeting tools, and tailored financial analytics. For innovative fintech companies, embedded finance—where banking services are integrated straight into non-financial platforms—is another rapidly expanding market.

8. Real Estate Investment Advisory

Real estate remains a reliable asset class, and investors are seeking both traditional and alternative paths into the market. Services like REIT advisory, property management for short-term rentals, and fractional ownership through tokenized assets are reshaping this space. Firms that combine data-driven insights with investment consulting are helping clients achieve better returns and mitigate risk, especially in uncertain housing markets.

9. Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and Strategic Advisory

As consolidation trends continue in multiple sectors—from healthcare to tech—M&A advisory remains a high-value service. Businesses need help with deal structuring, valuation, due diligence, and post-merger integration. Financial professionals offering these services are essential to companies seeking growth via acquisition or looking for optimal exit strategies. The demand is particularly strong in the private middle market, where expert advisors can unlock untapped value.

10. Family Office Services

A one-stop shop for investment, legal, tax, and succession planning is crucial for ultra-high net worth individuals and multigenerational families. It is becoming more and more profitable to offer family office services, such as charity advising and next-generation financial training. Deep trust and enduring connections yield significant lifetime client value in this service area as well.

As global finance continues to shift, adaptability and innovation remain the keys to success. Professionals who can deliver integrated, forward-looking financial services will lead the industry into the next era. Ibrahim Mardam-Bey stands as a model of this future-forward thinking—his insights into complex transactions and cross-border finance remind us that staying ahead in today’s landscape means more than just offering services; it means offering smart, strategic solutions. Whether it’s ESG consulting, crypto services, or next-gen wealth management, the best financial services to offer right now are those that anticipate tomorrow’s needs, today.

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