Demanding better financial services & tailoring
What this trend is
“Better financial services & tailoring” means that women are no longer content with the standard “one-size‐fits all” financial offerings. They’re asking for services, products and advice that reflect their specific life context, including:
- Career breaks, part-time employment, caregiving roles, longer lifespans.
- Differences in income trajectories (women often earn less, peak earlier) and hence their financial planning needs differ.
- A desire for advisors and service providers who understand their priorities (e.g., generational planning, protection, legacy, family transitions) rather than just investment returns.
- Financial technology (fintech) and institutions stepping up with “women‐specific” products or marketing, e.g., microloans to women entrepreneurs, female-oriented investment platforms.
This shift matters
- As women accumulate more wealth and control more financial decisions, the “old” service models don’t fit as well. For example, according to one study: women currently control about one-third of retail financial assets in the U.S./Europe, and this share is projected to rise to ~40-45% by 2030.
- When services are not tailored, women may feel less engaged or confident in investing or in managing long term. One survey found only about half of women felt their advisor understood their goals.
- Tailoring can improve outcomes: better alignment of services with women’s actual needs may lead to better uptake of investment, financial planning, and hence greater financial security.
- From a systemic point of view, there’s a huge business & social opportunity: closing the gap in service for women is good for inclusion, good for markets.
“tailoring” looks like in practice
Here are some specific ways in which financial services are being tailored (or could be) for women:
- Advisory relationships: Women may prefer advisors who listen, take account of life transitions (marriage, children, divorce, widowhood) and build plans accordingly. They may prefer female advisors or those trained in gender-specific issues.
- Product design: Financial products designed with women’s life patterns in mind. Examples: investment plans assuming career breaks, lower starting salary growth, longer retirement period; microloans or small-ticket investment plans for women entrepreneurs and smaller savers.
- Access & inclusion: Ensuring women have access to accounts, credit, investment advice, digital tools — especially in markets or communities where women have been underserved. Digital finance is helping here.
- Education & communication style: Clearer, jargon-free communication; more frequent touchpoints; support networks/communities for women to learn and engage with finance.
- Technology & fintech: Apps and platforms tailored for women: e.g., platforms that build in “what if you take a break for 2 years” modelling, or invest minimum amounts, or peer communities. (The platform Ellevest is a good example built for women.
What this means
Since you’re someone who is interested in growth, learning, building skills, you can apply this trend in meaningful ways:
- When you pick a financial advisor / platform: Ask “Does this service understand my life context?” For example: you may study new skills (Excel, AutoCAD etc), your income may grow, there may be times you pause—choose a service that accommodates that.
- When you invest or save, pick products that are flexible and understand women’s typical financial journeys (e.g., career breaks, family responsibilities) rather than rigid ones.
- Make sure you get education: don’t assume the same investment advice applies to everyone. Since women’s needs differ, find resources targeted at women.
- Value being included: If a service is just generic and you feel ignored, it may not serve you well in the long-term. You have the right to demand more tailored service.
- Use digital tools: If access is a barrier (in your area Patna/Bihar), fintech and digital platforms might help you access tailored services or investment with lower initial amounts.
- Track progress and revisit: As you build skills and possibly income, your financial service needs will evolve. Ensure your chosen service can evolve with you.