December 23, 2024

Contrary to popular belief, Gen Z isn’t ignoring their financial future. Instead, they’re investing strategically with a digital-first mindset.

Evan Wohl sits down with fellow OPUS advisors, Alex Azuaje and Harrison Welsh, to dive into the complex financial habits and expectations of Generation Z. They explore how Gen Z’s experiences with key historical events like the 2007 global recession and the 2020 pandemic have distinctly shaped their financial attitudes, creating a generation that’s both skeptical and entrepreneurial. From leveraging side hustles to exploring unconventional avenues like cryptocurrency and real estate, this generation is rewriting the financial rulebook.

Alex and Harrison touch on:

• The definition and demographics of Gen Z 
• How Gen Z’s upbringing with technology as digital natives influences their financial choices 
• Their pragmatic, often skeptical approach to traditional financial structures
• The impact of historical financial crises on their career and investment strategies 
• Their entrepreneurial spirit and diversified income streams
• And more

Resources:

• 2023 Gen Z Segmentation Study, Ernst & Young
• “Where Does Gen Z Go for Financial Info?”, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
• Modern Wealth Survey 2024, Charles Schwab
• 2023 Insurance Barometer Study, LIMRA
• “Gen Zers Are Investing Earlier Than Boomers Ever Did. 2 Big Reasons Why.”, Barron’s
• Gen Z and Investing: Social Media, Crypto, FOMO, and Family , CFA Institute
• How the Great Recession Has Shaped Generation Z, Vericast