Online investing is breaking down barriers and closing the gender divide, according to online portal SyndicateRoom, which has published new research.
The work surveyed more than 1,000 retail investors and revealed that almost half (45%) of those in the UK use a digital platform to invest, which is a strong nod to the way technology is shaking up traditional methods.
Interestingly, women investors were found to be much more likely to seek out alternative platforms, with only 56% of women in the UK considering making equity investments through any method compared to 65.5% of men.
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But when it comes to investing online, the gap reduces to a smaller divide, with 48% of men using a digital platform, against 42% of women.
Importantly, in 2017, men are 17% more likely to access the equity markets than women – but for those using online investment platforms, that male–female divide is reduced by a fifth, again highlighting the role of online investment platforms in breaking down barriers to investing, Syndicate Room said.
Gonçalo de Vasconcelos, CEO and Co-founder of SyndicateRoom, said: “It’s positive to see the shift away from traditional channels and towards online platforms – and we’re especially thrilled to see the significant impact digital platforms are having on increasing market access for female investors. Fairness and openness sit at the heart of SyndicateRoom’s ethos – and the role that technology is playing in facilitating encouraging more female investors is an important part of the story.”