3 March 2026

New Finance Skills Needed: Market Trends and the Role of Universities for Future-Proof Education

The financial world is changing rapidly. And with it, the demands placed on tomorrow's specialists and managers. Education must therefore undergo radical change, emphasized Sabine Schmittroth, a renowned bank manager and expert in transformation and future strategies in financial institutions, on Friday at Kühne Logistics University (KLU) in Hamburg. Universities, she said, are part of the solution. The background to this is that more and more positions at banks, insurance companies, and consulting firms are remaining unfilled.

A person in a business suit stands in front of a bright windowed background. They hold a marker and appear to draw or point at a transparent surface. White lines, data points, and chart graphics overlay the image, suggesting financial analysis or digital strategy.

In her keynote speech at the first KLU Finance Summit on February 27, 2026, Sabine Schmittroth outlined the key trends for the next five years. "The banking industry is growing - with tailwinds in the interest rate business - and at the same time is once again facing structural transformation. Digitalization, regulation, and changing customer expectations are fundamentally challenging business models. Institutions that combine innovation not only with profitability but also with resilience and trust will remain competitive. To achieve this, we need talent that combines financial expertise with a deep understanding of technology and strategic thinking. Banks will continue to be indispensable partners to the economy in the future – if they actively shape change."

Following Schmittroth's keynote, they are well-versed in this. The banking industry has decades of experience in change. In view of the current geopolitical challenges and new opportunities with AI, Schmittroth recommends five strategic pillars for banks: an “AI-first” operating model, investment in a resilient and secure infrastructure – thinking e.g. of “cyber security” – platform strategies instead of in-house solutions, a focus on compliance, and the introduction of agile organizational structures and the promotion of talent.

Around 100 students discussed the trends together with experts from banks, venture capital, consulting, and FinTech. The focus was on one key insight: finance careers today require much more than traditional financial knowledge. There is a demand for professionals who can recognize complex interrelationships, assess risks, and make informed decisions in dynamic, technology-driven markets.

Philipp Stodtmeister, CEO of Stuttgart-based private bank Ellwanger & Geiger (copyright: Ellwanger & Geiger)

Philipp Stodtmeister, CEO of Stuttgart-based private bank Ellwanger & Geiger: "We are looking for new ways to attract talent and, as a company, we need to get involved in training ourselves. Our industry urgently needs a some more good ideas in this area! The Finance Summit is a prime example of new teaching concepts, where industry partners actively work with students on case studies from the world of finance. KLU is a good partner and pioneer in this field."

Also present at the Finance Summit were the auditing firm KPMG, the early-stage venture capital company Antler, and the European FinTech company Raisin.

“Universities educate students for the economy and have the task of preparing them excellently for this,” says Prof. Dr. Alexander Himme, Dean of Programs and Professor of Accounting at KLU. "To do this, you also have to take a look at the curriculum. Today, analytical thinking, digital competence, and resilience are key to making holistic decisions and anticipating and helping to shape rapid changes at an early stage. In the financial sector in particular, this kind of integrated thinking is increasingly becoming a decisive competitive advantage. The good news is that it can be learned. Here at KLU, we call it the Operations Mindset. And, of course, it requires the right mix of theory and practice."

For the students, the focus was on direct dialogue and participation. "I attended a venture capital workshop, and there was an expert from the field there. We first received theoretical input and were then able to apply it directly in a small case study on real companies,“ says Illia Kazakov, a bachelor's student in business administration at KLU. ”What I like about formats such as the Finance Summit is that they prepare us specifically for our careers. I was also able to make contacts in the business world."

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