T H E F I N A N C I A L S E R V I C E S C I O O F 2 0 2 5 | 4
Visionary Thinking Is
Now More Important
Than the Operational
Strengths of the Past
The financial services industry is synonymous with technical innovation. Today, technology is
not only streamlining operations and transactions, it is transforming products, services, and
business models. Increased customer expectations are raising the bar for convenience and
security. And digital-native, financial technology (fintech) startups are encroaching on
traditional territory.
The role of a financial services CIO has been rapidly changing—so much so that the title may
well be chief innovation officer. Already, 81 percent of financial services CIOs are primary
drivers of innovation for their firms. Almost three-fourths (67 percent) currently sit on their
board of directors. And as further proof they're leaving technical operational tasks behind,
70 percent of financial services CIOs believe they will be responsible for overall corporate
strategy in 5 years—a number higher than in any other industry.
To stay ahead, financial services CIOs must continue to aggressively adopt emerging
technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and Internet of Things
(IoT), as well as prepare to guide their organizations through enormous cultural shifts arising
from deploying nascent technology.
Half of financial services CIOs
expect to be CEOs by 2025.
