Investment Banking

Investment banks under pressure to cut costs despite surge in pandemic profits

Despite a spike in pandemic revenues, banks need to make efficiencies, report says

Investment banks'  trading revenues rebounded thanks to Covid-19 induced volatility
Investment banks' trading revenues rebounded thanks to Covid-19 induced volatility Photo: AFP/Getty Images

A surge in revenues for investment banks last year does not make up for a "lost decade" of growth, and firms still need to pare back costs to stave off long-term threats to the industry, according to a sweeping new report.

Investment banks' stellar year, when trading revenues rebounded thanks to Covid-19 induced volatility and advisory fees surged, is unlikely to mean a longer-term revival, according to a report from management consultants Accenture into the future of the sector.

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