Millennials non-traditional when it comes to finance

Only 14% of Australians under the age of 40 feel “extremely confident” about their financial skills, research by Nine and The Lab has revealed.  

The research, unveiled at Nine’s State of the Nation Finance virtual event, reveals that despite Australians aged 18-39 consuming content and information about money and business, fewer feel extremely confident than in 2021.

The research examined consumer insights around finance and investing, using a range of methods, including partnering with The Lab in interviews and social listening, and quantitative research via Nine’s own cross-platform audience panel, Consumer Pulse, with the aim to help chart a path for brands and marketers.  

With the study focusing on entrepreneurially minded Australians aged 18-39, the research found that despite the current turbulent economic times, after more than two years of pandemic-fuelled savings and out-of-reach house prices, this generation is keen to find non-traditional ways to build wealth and is set to invest differently from previous generations.  

Household wealth is on the rise, with Australia on the cusp of the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in its history as inheritance payouts start to balloon.

Over the next 20 years, millennials are predicted to inherit $3.5 trillion – an average of $320,000 each – with the traditional methods of building wealth and sourcing information on investing becoming more complex.  

Toby Boon, director of strategy & insights of Powered by Nine, said: "There is a new wave of wealth on the horizon, and banks and financial service providers need to be prepared.” 

“Our research focuses on four key areas that define how this cohort of younger, entrepreneurially minded Australians consume content and manage their money – investments, debt, aspirations and learning. Each of those areas offers new opportunities for both established and emerging financial services brands.”  

Younger investors are consuming information from non-traditional sources, including podcasts and social media, with 28% of 18-39s following a “finfluencer”. Podcasts are fast becoming a powerful tool for brands, with 72% listening to business and money podcasting. 

“The most effective finfluencers have built their following by breaking down complex financial matters and making people feel more in control of their money,” said Boon. 

“Brands can borrow their tactics to simplify personal finance and make investment more accessible. Podcasts, newsletters and social channels all lend themselves to that approach.”