Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

As the new post-pandemic normal settles in and people adapt to a context of uncertainty, constant adversities, and pessimism, we are moving away from a moment in which consumers expected brands to rise up to society's challenges and into one when they’re demanding genuine allyship from businesses.

From redundancies to unstable incomes, many people are dealing with financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic. Helping people cope with financial change and get by in turbulent times are financial therapists – a nascent field of counselling aimed squarely at addressing money worries.

The Financial Gym sets its members up with personal trainers and clearly defines plans to get their relationship with money back on track. In the wake of the pandemic, its approach is more relevant than ever.

How have vulnerable individuals been affected by the digitisation of banking? Will NFTs become a new type of commerce? How can people level up their retirement savings? In this part of the 2022 Expert Outlook, we speak to three experts about how people are seeking more agency over their finances.

In the post-pandemic ‘new normal’, many Americans are facing significant financial pressures, fueling the demand for actionable budgeting guidance. How are personal finance communities on social media meeting this need? And why are old-school tricks winning over tech-savvy savers?