Financial Services Portfolio of Tomorrow

Redefining real estate strategy in an era of talent wars, tech acceleration and resilience imperatives.

Workplace management

Strategic consulting

Financial services

Authors

Sarah Bouzarouata

Director, Head of Financial Services Research

Victoria Shreeves

Director, EMEA Work Dynamics Research and Strategy

Location as a magnet for talent

CRE functions are playing a more dynamic role in shaping enterprise transformation. Strategic alignment between portfolio strategy and talent requirements is now essential for future-proofing operations. From global banks co-locating AI teams with product leaders to wealth managers expanding into university-adjacent markets, occupiers are leveraging real estate to attract, develop and retain differentiated talent.

Top firms are expanding in markets that align with digital capabilities, academic pipelines and workforce scalability. More cost-efficient locations like Bengaluru, Toronto and Dallas are rising as global capability centers for the sector.