bubble

Analysis

Business and financial services M&A update: Q4 2024

Deloitte predicts Generative AI-enabled applications will dominate retail investment advice, growing to 78% usage by 2028 and becoming the leading source by 2027.¹

Business and financial services trends

  • Business process outsourcing (BPO)

With the rise of remote work, companies are partnering with innovative BPO providers to build global digital systems, integrating remote teams and leveraging onshore, nearshore, and offshore BPO for specialized, cost-effective support.2

  • Consulting

The gig economy is transforming the consulting industry in 2024, enabling freelancers and contract-based consultants to elevate smaller firms, enhancing their ability to compete with larger organizations and respond effectively to client needs.3

  • Education and training

Due to market turmoil, 85% of business executives prioritize organizational agility, emphasizing continuous learning and empowering employees to adapt quickly, reinforcing learning and development (L&D) programs to be more data- and compliance-backed, and building core competencies.4

  • Insurance, legal, and risk services

AI adoption can transform underwriting, claims management, customer service, and risk assessment, enhancing efficiency and improving customer experience.5

  • Staffing and recruiting

Cybersecurity is a top concern, especially with new technology like Generative AI; 96% of CEOs see it as critical to growth, yet 75% worry about their ability to mitigate cyberattack damage.6

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Endnotes

1. Deloitte, “Deloitte, AT&T and Salesforce to simplify ESG data collection and sustainability management through connectivity-based approach,” press release, July 19, 2023.
2. Cordatus Resource Group, “BPO: The global backbone driving business activity", 2024.
3. Custom Market Insights, “Top 10 consulting industry trends to watch in 2024,” August 24, 2024.
4. Nicole Cox, “5 top L&D trends for 2025: Stay ahead with targeted strategies,” Valamis, December 11, 2024.
5. DWF, InsureInsight: Insurance Sector Trends 2024, 2024.
6. American Staffing Association, Top 10 Staffing Trends for 2024, accessed January 10, 2025.

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