Emerging Greater Bay Area Workforce Retains Strong Interest in Fintech, with AI Skills Leading the Wish List: Bloomberg Survey

Hong Kong & Shenzhen – A new survey of university students in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) reveals that students remain highly interested in pursuing cross-border fintech careers, with a growing emphasis on AI-related skills. This trend reinforces the region’s growing appeal as a launchpad for the next generation of fintech talent.

More than 160 students participating in this year’s Greater Bay Area Fintech Talent Initiative (the “Initiative”) took part in the survey. Findings showed that nearly three-in-four students (74%) are “very likely” to pursue a cross-border fintech career, citing “cross-border business opportunities” (76%), “access to large and diverse markets” (76%), and “proximity to tech and finance hubs” (65%) as key advantages of starting a fintech career in the GBA.

AI and machine learning were identified as the most sought-after skills among aspiring fintech professionals, with nearly two thirds (66%) eager to develop expertise in these areas – up from 54% last year. Specifically, “machine learning and model training” (69%) and “data analysis and visualization” (65%) were ranked as the top skills students want to master.

These findings were echoed at the Greater Bay Area Fintech Talent Summit – a key part of the Initiative – on November 26. The event highlighted how cross-border collaboration and AI innovation are reshaping the talent landscape in one of the world’s most dynamic financial regions.

Mr. Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR Government (FSTB), and Mr. Howard Lee, Deputy Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), attended the Summit alongside senior executives from Bloomberg, the Hong Kong United Youth Association (HKUYA), and the Initiative’s corporate partners. Students from both Hong Kong and Shenzhen also participated.

Christopher Hui, Secretary for FSTB, said during his keynote speech: “Talent is the cornerstone of any successful innovation hub, and this is especially true for fintech. By nurturing and attracting fintech talent, fostering cross-boundary collaboration, and embracing AI-driven innovation, Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area are building a dynamic, innovative and interconnected ecosystem that empowers the next generation to thrive in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.”

Howard Lee, Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA, said: “Over the past few years, Hong Kong has been progressively building a financial ecosystem that embraces innovation – investing not only in infrastructure and systems, but also in talent development, with innovation as the core driving force. We are committed to creating more opportunities for industry professionals, enhancing competitiveness, and ensuring that the financial sector can effectively meet the challenges and seize the opportunities brought by digitalisation and AI. At the same time, through initiatives such as the GBA Fintech Talent Initiative, we will actively nurture young talent and promote Hong Kong and the GBA’s continued leadership in fintech development.”

Launched in 2022, the Greater Bay Area Fintech Talent Initiative has become a leading program for fintech talent development in the region. This year marked a major milestone as the Initiative welcomed its first cohort of students from Shenzhen and organized cross-border corporate visits and dialogues with senior executives in both cities.

Stephen Chua, Chairman of HKUYA, an organizing partner of the Initiative, said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with HKMA and Bloomberg in this Initiative. Our program aims to provide aspiring fintech professionals with hands-on experience, mentorship opportunities, and the chance to build cross-border networks. The program’s expansion highlights the GBA’s unique position as a gateway for young professionals to gain exposure to both established markets and pioneering technologies such as AI.”

Bing Li, Head of Asia Pacific at Bloomberg, said: “At Bloomberg, we are committed to empowering the next generation of fintech leaders. Aligning with Hong Kong’s strategic AI development, our 2025 program focused on AI, coupled with our expansion into Shenzhen, ensuring students gain the tools and experience needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving industry. We deeply appreciate the generous support of our partners and look forward to scaling this initiative to create even greater impact.”

The survey also indicated that student preference for large, established financial institutions rose sharply to 60%, compared to 47% last year, while interest in startups and innovation labs remained steady at 13%. Additionally, students identified fintech training programs (77%), internships (76%) and mentorships (71%) as the most critical support they seek when building fintech careers in the GBA.

To connect students directly with industry professionals and potential career pathways, the Initiative hosted a career fair featuring 14 leading finance and technology companies after the Summit.

About Greater Bay Area Fintech Talent Initiative

Partnering with Bloomberg, the Hong Kong United Youth Association (HKUYA), and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the initiative aims to provide university students with exposure to cross-border finance programs and critical fintech developments in the region, including the opportunity to connect with leaders and experts from financial and technology companies. The program includes professional training, career coaching, and opportunities to network with industry professionals. The initiative forms part of Bloomberg’s global Corporate Philanthropy program, which works with a network of non-profit partners to ensure that more individuals from underserved communities have the relevant skills and experience for employment and entrepreneurship.

For more information on the Greater Bay Area Fintech Talent Initiative, please visit https://www.bloomberg.com/company/values/philanthropy/greater-bay-area-fintech-talent-initiative/.

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