The Shift in Finance Is Happening
Finance has long been a male-dominated industry. But things are changing. More women are becoming financial advisors, and more clients—especially women—are choosing to work with them.
According to the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, only 23% of CFP® professionals are women. That number is slowly growing. And it matters.
Women bring a different way of thinking. They ask different questions. They listen more. They plan with life, not just money, in mind.
That shift is making an impact on how wealth is built, protected, and passed on.
Women Focus on the Whole Picture
Money is rarely just about numbers. It’s tied to goals, fears, health, family, and legacy. Female advisors often take all of that into account.
Jessica Jung financial advisor, says one of her first questions with new clients is never about returns. It’s “What do you want this money to do?”
She once had a client—a founder in her late 50s—who was sure she wanted her son to take over the family business. Jessica asked if her son wanted it. He didn’t. No one had asked him before.
That question changed the whole plan. They built an exit strategy, not a handoff. It saved the client from years of stress and helped the son chart his own path.
Listening Is a Skill, Not a Soft Trait
Studies back this up. A McKinsey report found that women in finance are more likely to prioritise listening, clarity, and emotional awareness during meetings.
This isn’t fluff. It leads to better planning.
Clients who feel heard are more likely to follow through. They’re more open about their goals. They’re less likely to hide fears or skip hard conversations.
That means better decisions. And fewer mistakes.
They Ask the Questions Others Skip
Most clients don’t come in knowing what to ask. They don’t say, “Do I need a trust?” or “Is my LLC structured correctly?”
They say things like, “I don’t want my kids to fight over this,” or “I’m worried I waited too long.”
Female advisors often bridge that gap. They turn those concerns into smart, clear next steps.
One advisor shared how a client kept delaying her estate plan. She finally asked, “If something happened tomorrow, who would make decisions for you?”
That one question pushed everything forward. They got the documents signed. The client slept better the next night.
Female Advisors Build Safer Plans
This isn’t just about emotion. It’s about risk.
Women are often more cautious in planning. They double-check. They question what happens under stress.
This matters in high-stakes financial work. It helps avoid lawsuits, tax mistakes, and messy business exits.
One advisor shared how she caught a mistake in a buy-sell agreement between two business partners. If left alone, it would have forced a rushed sale during a medical emergency. Fixing it in advance protected both families.
It wasn’t a flashy win. It didn’t make headlines. But it worked when it mattered.
They Often Understand Being the Underdog
Many female advisors know what it feels like to be overlooked or underestimated. That helps them build stronger client relationships.
They’re more likely to connect with first-generation wealth builders, female founders, and people who feel ignored by traditional firms.
That connection builds trust. Trust leads to better conversations. Better conversations lead to better outcomes.
It’s not a pitch—it’s lived experience.
They Plan for Real Life
Female advisors are more likely to bring up topics like caregiving, family tension, divorce, or aging parents.
These aren’t always comfortable conversations. But they matter. They shape how money works over time.
Ignoring these issues can break a plan. Addressing them builds one that lasts.
One advisor worked with a woman who was caring for both her children and her mother. The plan had to be flexible. It had to protect income, handle emergencies, and prepare for long-term care. The advisor helped her map it all out—step by step.
What You Can Do Right Now
You don’t need to switch advisors just because of gender. But you should pay attention to how your advisor communicates and plans.
Here are some things to look for:
1. Does your advisor ask about your goals before showing you products?
If not, they’re selling—not planning.
2. Do you feel like your concerns are heard?
If not, they may be missing key parts of your story.
3. Has anyone ever asked you if your business or estate plan works without you?
If not, that’s a red flag.
You can also start asking better questions yourself:
- “What happens to my plan if I get sick?”
- “Does my spouse know how to access all of our accounts?”
- “If I sell my business, what’s the tax impact?”
- “Are my kids ready for what they’ll inherit?”
Final Thought
Finance isn’t just about the math. It’s about the questions we ask—and the ones we avoid.
Female advisors are changing the way planning works. They listen more. They focus deeper. They plan for real life.
You don’t need hype. You need structure. And the right questions asked at the right time.
Sometimes that starts with just one voice saying, “Let’s talk about what actually matters.”
