2025 Investor Engagement Survey from Capintel

The CapIntel 2025 Investor Engagement Survey, conducted in partnership with Logica Research, sheds light on the growing importance of trust in financial services. The survey findings were covered in WealthManagement.com, Investment News, Financial Advisor, Yahoo! Finance, and more.

The Prioritization of Trust

The Capintel study revealed the overwhelming importance of trust in investor-advisor relationships, as shared in WealthManagement.com. According to the survey, 72% of investors prioritize trust above all else when choosing an advisor, far outpacing other factors such as investment experience or even investment success. This trust is built through clear, accurate communication, a demonstrated understanding of the client’s financial goals, personalization, and a proven track record. 

Trust over Performance

Trust is an even more significant factor than portfolio performance when it comes to selecting and maintaining an advisor, as shared in Investment News. Trust breaches were also identified as the leading cause of investors severing ties with their advisors, surpassing poor investment performance. The survey also revealed that investors are more likely to stay with an advisor they trust, even during periods of underperformance, emphasizing the long-term value of strong, reliable relationships over short-term market gains.

Deep Understanding and Clear Communication

Financial Advisor takes a closer look at what the CapIntel 2025 Investor Engagement Survey reveals about how advisors can build and break trust. While underperformance may cause 54% of investors to consider leaving an advisor, 61% would terminate the relationship if trust were broken. This trust isn’t just about believing what an advisor says—it’s about the advisor demonstrating a deep understanding of the client’s unique financial situation and effectively communicating that understanding. The study highlights that trust is nurtured through both big-picture understanding and attention to the smaller, detailed aspects of a client’s financial needs.

Another key finding from the survey discussed in Financial Advisor is that communication style plays a major role in maintaining trust. Investors overwhelmingly value clear and organized communication, with 85% identifying it as crucial in their relationship with advisors. Advisors who listen carefully to their clients and articulate a clear financial picture are better positioned to foster lasting trust and keep their clients engaged, regardless of performance fluctuations.

Rise of Digital Tools

Yahoo! Finance talks about how the CapIntel 2025 Investor Engagement Survey found that integration of user-friendly digital platforms is becoming increasingly essential for financial advisors and institutions. And how investors are now seeking a balance between trustworthy relationships and the convenience of digital solutions that allow for greater control over their finances. The study reveals that investors are more likely to engage with financial services that offer intuitive digital tools, as they enable more transparent, efficient, and accessible financial decision-making. This trend suggests that financial institutions must prioritize the development and integration of advanced digital solutions to meet the evolving needs of today’s tech-savvy investors.

You can learn more about the CapIntel 2025 Investor Engagement Survey here, by reading the articles in WealthManagement.com, Investment News, Financial Advisor, and Yahoo! Finance, or by reaching out to us!