In the UK, many banks have been encouraging employees to return to physical offices from this summer, in line with the government’s reopening plans. However, the possibility of new viral variants and winter surges means that financial services, like other industries, is confronting a future in which many workers may operate remotely for the long term.
The higher regulatory and security requirements for financial institutions pose a challenge when it comes to remote working, against the COVID-era backdrop of increased fraudulent activity and cybersecurity attacks. The banking industry is used to having its people in a controlled environment that helps mitigate such risks, and accordingly compliance and security are key concerns when staff are working from their homes.
In our ‘CRE - Our industry today, tomorrow & beyond’ report we examine how banks and other financial services companies view the future of the office, and what this means for their approaches to real estate.
