The largest group of companies in The Global 5000 database are the financial services firms with 844 companies and they are responsible for the largest chunk of revenue each year.
In our industry scheme these firms run the gamut of everything from banks to payment services, insurance, securities trades, credit agencies, and holding companies. Nearly everything we touch financially.
One of the big headline makers for these companies revolve around “the deal”. Whether that deal is an IPO or an M&A, a spin-off or a bankruptcy, there are millions of dollars, many players and high visibility all around. Intense media focus also surrounds every deal.
As we sit here in the front half of 2025, the money (revenue) that flows from deals is headed for a tough year not only in terms of volume but also the makeup and players involved in deals. There appear to be two main drivers affecting the market: (1) is the uncertainty surrounding the tariff actions, negotiations, and discussions and (2) is the climate in the M&A market re: what deals will be allowed to proceed. Both these elements are causing uncertainty and we have seen over and over again that uncertainty will cause business spending to slow down.
With a slow down in the financial transactions, many of the financial services firms will see their fees shrink and revenues will drop as the year progresses unless there is some unforeseen turnaround. Those organizations selling to JP Morgan, HSBC, Bank of America, and the big four banks in China need to be right on top of their opportunities or deals in the pipeline which could be prime candidates for delay or cancellation.
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