Our new research shows that junior bankers spend a disproportionate amount of time, up to 40% of their week, on manual tasks. Given the competitive market with rising client expectations, tighter margins, and increased deal flow, that inefficiency is a vulnerability for banks.
The purpose of this article is to explore this productivity challenge, share actionable insight from our research, and show how technology can unlock time for investment banking teams to create more strategic value for clients.
Our research indicates that 60% of senior bankers report junior staff spend substantial time on data gathering and administrative activities rather than revenue-generating analysis. Junior bankers also note the difficulty of balancing multiple projects, citing inefficient processes and disconnected tools as barriers.
These inefficiencies translate into lost opportunities. Time spent manually formatting pitchbooks or reconciling information in siloed systems could instead be used to further strengthen analyses, uncover new deals, or deepen client relationships.
The drive to modernize workflows is about redirecting valuable hours and strategic focus to the business. Research indicates that optimal technology solutions could enable junior bankers to reclaim up to10 hours each week. This time can be redirected for bottom-line growth.
When asked how they would use this extra time, junior bankers pinpointed three areas for improvement:
57% would invest in building more detailed and customized client presentations.
50% would focus on identifying and pursuing new business opportunities.
49% would dedicate more attention to strengthening relationships through increased client communication.
This underscores the potential impact of technology investment: Shifting from administrative support toward strategic work that directly influences deal outcomes and client satisfaction.
Based on our research and sector experience, here are three critical capabilities that form the foundation of a modern, strategic tech stack.
Data shows that 63% of senior bankers believe their firm’s technology stack is instrumental to attract and retain top junior staff. A modern tech environment that reduces time-consuming manual work and enables high-value, strategic work is a clear indicator that a firm is forward thinking and values its employees' on-the-job experience and professional growth.
Empowered and engaged bankers can deliver higher-quality outcomes and stronger client relationships. In that sense, technology becomes central to internal productivity and the firm's overall market position.
In the years ahead, industry leaders will likely be those who treat technology modernization as a strategic priority. By investing in AI, automation, and integrated systems, firms can build resilience, unlock value, and position themselves for long-term growth.
These findings are drawn from our broader research on junior banker productivity and the vital role of technology. For a deeper review of this exclusive research and a practical roadmap to achieving strategic transformation within your organization, download the full research.
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