GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Financial Service Industry Statistics

Financial industry struggles with diversity, equity, inclusion; benefits need emphasis.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Women of all ethnicities in finance report earning on average 27% less than men across all roles

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Women hold only 23% of senior leadership roles in financial services globally

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Minority representation in executive roles in the financial sector is approximately 17%

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Only 16% of board members in the financial industry are women

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60% of financial institutions report that attracting diverse talent is their top challenge

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70% of financial services companies have considered or implemented unconscious bias training

Statistic 7

Only 8% of CEO positions in the financial industry are held by women

Statistic 8

57% of senior leaders in financial firms say that diversity and inclusion are a top priority

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Companies with more diverse executive teams are 35% more likely to outperform their peers

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80% of financial firms report that DEI initiatives have improved workplace culture

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Firms with higher gender diversity are 25% more likely to have above-average profitability

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75% of financial industry executives agree that diversity is essential for innovation

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72% of employees believe that improved diversity and inclusion initiatives would result in better financial performance

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Investment firms with diverse leadership tend to have 20% higher returns on equity

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Companies with inclusive cultures report 2.3 times higher revenue growth

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Financial firms with dedicated DEI officers see 25% more effective diversity initiatives

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Only 14% of financial industry investments are directed toward initiatives supporting underrepresented communities

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78% of financial institutions recognize that a diverse workforce enhances problem-solving and innovation

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45% of financial services firms have no formal diversity and inclusion strategy

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Only 20% of financial services firms report having measurable DEI goals

Statistic 21

40% of financial institutions lack community engagement initiatives aimed at diverse neighborhoods

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Only 11% of financial firms have gender parity targets for executive roles

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46% of financial service firms have no dedicated budget for diversity and inclusion programs

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In 2022, racial and ethnic minorities comprised 27% of new hires in financial services in the US

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Employees from minority backgrounds are 40% more likely to leave financial firms for other industries

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Only 12% of management positions in the financial sector are held by women of color

Statistic 27

Women of color in finance earn approximately 30% less than their white male counterparts

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55% of younger employees in finance prioritize diversity and inclusion when choosing an employer

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Only 13% of investment banking roles are filled by women

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48% of financial services employees believe their companies should do more to promote racial equity

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65% of minority employees in finance feel they have limited opportunities for advancement compared to their peers

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52% of women in finance say they have experienced gender bias at work

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Latino and Hispanic professionals account for only 9% of financial services leadership positions

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38% of financial industry employees believe that their workplace is not actively supportive of diverse cultures

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Companies with substantial diversity commitments increased their hiring of minorities by 15% year-over-year

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The percentage of Black professionals in finance is approximately 6%, well below their representation in the general population

Statistic 37

83% of financial firms have implemented some form of employee resource groups for underrepresented groups

Statistic 38

Discrimination complaints in finance have increased by 10% during 2021-2022

Statistic 39

62% of women in finance report experiencing work-related stress related to inequality

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70% of millennials in finance prioritize companies that demonstrate genuine commitment to DEI

Statistic 41

The average tenure of women in leadership in finance is 4.8 years, less than their male counterparts

Statistic 42

41% of financial service employees feel their organizations lack transparency in DEI reporting

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66% of LGBTQ+ employees in finance experience workplace exclusion or discrimination

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72% of minorities in finance feel their voices are undervalued compared to their peers

Statistic 45

85% of new financial services employees say that organizational commitment to DEI influences their decision to join

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Key Highlights

Women hold only 23% of senior leadership roles in financial services globally
Minority representation in executive roles in the financial sector is approximately 17%
Companies with more diverse executive teams are 35% more likely to outperform their peers
In 2022, racial and ethnic minorities comprised 27% of new hires in financial services in the US
Only 16% of board members in the financial industry are women
45% of financial services firms have no formal diversity and inclusion strategy
60% of financial institutions report that attracting diverse talent is their top challenge
Employees from minority backgrounds are 40% more likely to leave financial firms for other industries
Only 12% of management positions in the financial sector are held by women of color
70% of financial services companies have considered or implemented unconscious bias training
Women of color in finance earn approximately 30% less than their white male counterparts
Only 8% of CEO positions in the financial industry are held by women
55% of younger employees in finance prioritize diversity and inclusion when choosing an employer

Despite the undeniable impact of diversity and inclusion on financial performance—boosting innovation and profitability—women and minorities remain substantially underrepresented in leadership roles, highlighting a pressing need for the industry to prioritize meaningful DEI strategies.

Demographic Trends and Industry Benchmarks

Women of all ethnicities in finance report earning on average 27% less than men across all roles

Demographic Trends and Industry Benchmarks Interpretation

The earnings gap revealing women of all ethnicities in finance earning on average 27% less than men underscores that, despite progress, the industry’s gender and ethnicity disparities remain a stark reminder that true inclusion still eludes Wall Street's glossy veneer.

Diversity and Inclusion in Leadership

Women hold only 23% of senior leadership roles in financial services globally
Minority representation in executive roles in the financial sector is approximately 17%
Only 16% of board members in the financial industry are women
60% of financial institutions report that attracting diverse talent is their top challenge
70% of financial services companies have considered or implemented unconscious bias training
Only 8% of CEO positions in the financial industry are held by women
57% of senior leaders in financial firms say that diversity and inclusion are a top priority

Diversity and Inclusion in Leadership Interpretation

Despite nearly six in ten financial institutions citing diversity as a top priority, women and minorities remain significantly underrepresented in leadership roles—highlighting that words often lag behind in actual inclusion at the highest levels of financial services.

Impact of Diversity on Performance and Culture

Companies with more diverse executive teams are 35% more likely to outperform their peers
80% of financial firms report that DEI initiatives have improved workplace culture
Firms with higher gender diversity are 25% more likely to have above-average profitability
75% of financial industry executives agree that diversity is essential for innovation
72% of employees believe that improved diversity and inclusion initiatives would result in better financial performance
Investment firms with diverse leadership tend to have 20% higher returns on equity
Companies with inclusive cultures report 2.3 times higher revenue growth
Financial firms with dedicated DEI officers see 25% more effective diversity initiatives
Only 14% of financial industry investments are directed toward initiatives supporting underrepresented communities
78% of financial institutions recognize that a diverse workforce enhances problem-solving and innovation

Impact of Diversity on Performance and Culture Interpretation

Ultimately, the data underscores that embracing diversity and inclusion isn't just a moral imperative but a strategic edge—boosting profitability, innovation, and growth in the financial sector, yet still lagging in investment commitments suggests the industry’s potential remains largely untapped.

Organizational Initiatives and Policies

45% of financial services firms have no formal diversity and inclusion strategy
Only 20% of financial services firms report having measurable DEI goals
40% of financial institutions lack community engagement initiatives aimed at diverse neighborhoods
Only 11% of financial firms have gender parity targets for executive roles
46% of financial service firms have no dedicated budget for diversity and inclusion programs

Organizational Initiatives and Policies Interpretation

These staggering statistics reveal that while the financial industry publicly champions diversity and inclusion, nearly half remain stranded in the planning phase, highlighting a critical disconnect between ambition and meaningful action.

Workplace Representation and Employee Experiences

In 2022, racial and ethnic minorities comprised 27% of new hires in financial services in the US
Employees from minority backgrounds are 40% more likely to leave financial firms for other industries
Only 12% of management positions in the financial sector are held by women of color
Women of color in finance earn approximately 30% less than their white male counterparts
55% of younger employees in finance prioritize diversity and inclusion when choosing an employer
Only 13% of investment banking roles are filled by women
48% of financial services employees believe their companies should do more to promote racial equity
65% of minority employees in finance feel they have limited opportunities for advancement compared to their peers
52% of women in finance say they have experienced gender bias at work
Latino and Hispanic professionals account for only 9% of financial services leadership positions
38% of financial industry employees believe that their workplace is not actively supportive of diverse cultures
Companies with substantial diversity commitments increased their hiring of minorities by 15% year-over-year
The percentage of Black professionals in finance is approximately 6%, well below their representation in the general population
83% of financial firms have implemented some form of employee resource groups for underrepresented groups
Discrimination complaints in finance have increased by 10% during 2021-2022
62% of women in finance report experiencing work-related stress related to inequality
70% of millennials in finance prioritize companies that demonstrate genuine commitment to DEI
The average tenure of women in leadership in finance is 4.8 years, less than their male counterparts
41% of financial service employees feel their organizations lack transparency in DEI reporting
66% of LGBTQ+ employees in finance experience workplace exclusion or discrimination
72% of minorities in finance feel their voices are undervalued compared to their peers
85% of new financial services employees say that organizational commitment to DEI influences their decision to join

Workplace Representation and Employee Experiences Interpretation

Despite an impressive 85% of new hires valuing DEI commitments, the industry remains plagued by persistent disparities—highlighting that even if more minorities and women are entering finance, meaningful inclusion and equitable advancement still require more than just rhetoric.