Supercharging the pitch: How technology and process improvements can save junior bankers and analysts from administrative hell

February 27, 2025

In today’s competitive landscape, investment banks and financial services firms are constantly seeking ways to streamline their operations and enhance efficiency. Generative AI is driving a profound transformation in financial services, fostering innovation and streamlining operations:

• In the United Kingdom, a joint survey from UK Finance and Accenture revealed that the financial services sector is accelerating its adoption of generative artificial intelligence, with institutions planning to increase investment to 16% of technology budgets by 2025, up from 12% in 2024.[1]
• The World Economic Forum predicts that by 2027, 43% of work tasks across all sectors will be automated and a survey by Bain & Company found adopters in AI and automation are seeing a 20% productivity gain on average.[2]

It is clear that in financial services, the shift to process automation and real-time reporting will necessitate investment in upskilling for core teams in finance and these firms need to adapt and innovate to stay competitive.

The power of technology and partnerships

Our recent survey on driving efficiency and outcomes in investment banking underscores the importance of technology investments and strategic partnerships in navigating market demand fluctuations. The survey reveals that both bankers and operational leaders recognize the value of process automation tools in streamlining processes and improving productivity, especially for activities associated with junior banker roles.

For instance, when asked about the top investments needed to improve junior banker productivity and efficiency, 85% cite process automation for repetitive and time-consuming tasks. Moreover, 88% of respondents emphasize partnering with expert providers to support specialized processes. These findings highlight the significance of technology adoption, process automation, and strategic partnerships in optimizing investment banking operations.

Addressing burnout and inefficiencies: The pitchbook challenge

One area where optimization can make a significant impact is pitchbook creation. Pitchbooks are essential marketing tools for investment banks, used to showcase their expertise and win deals. However, the traditional process of creating pitchbooks can be time-consuming and labor-intensive often requiring the collaboration of multiple team members and numerous iterations.

Junior bankers, analysts, and client-facing teams often shoulder a significant burden when it comes to putting winning pitchbooks together. This isn’t just about long hours; it’s about the type of work. Much of the process involves tedious, manual tasks that detract from more strategic, high-value activities. This can lead to burnout and decreased productivity, precisely the opposite of what firms need in today’s competitive environment. While AI-driven automation is a key part of the solution, it’s not just about throwing technology at the problem. It’s about a strategic approach that integrates technology with process improvements and expert support.

Beyond automation: A strategic approach

Simply investing in AI tools isn’t enough. To truly alleviate the burden on teams and maximize efficiency, investment banks should consider a more holistic strategy:

• Specialized business support services, a force multiplier: Partnering with external business support service providers offers more than just operational flexibility. It provides access to specialized expertise that many firms may not have in-house. These providers often have deep experience in presentation design, data visualization, and even content creation tailored for financial services. They can act as an extension of your team, handling the time-consuming, detail-oriented tasks, freeing up your internal staff to focus on higher-value activities like deal structuring and client relationship management. Consider providers that specialize in pitchbook creation, offering services ranging from template design and content updates to full production and delivery.
• Intelligent automation, not just automation: Instead of simply automating any task, investment banks should focus on intelligent automation, targeting the specific pain points within the pitchbook process.  Where are the biggest bottlenecks? Where are the most errors occurring?  This is where a platform like Williams Lea’s ENGAGE Service Management can play a crucial role.  ENGAGE goes beyond basic automation by providing a comprehensive, integrated platform that allows firms to not only identify these pain points but also implement targeted solutions.
• Flexible support models tailored to your needs: The right business support partner offers flexible, tailored support models to meet the diverse needs of investment banks and financial services firms.  Options range from integrated onsite teams to cost-effective centralized support from dedicated resource centers. For example, Williams Lea has dedicated centers of excellence in Columbus, Ohio; Wheeling, West Virginia; Leeds, UK; and Chennai and Cochin, India, enabling 24/7 availability and scalability to match fluctuating market demands.  This flexible approach optimizes operations, reduces costs, and improves pitchbook creation efficiency, even freeing up valuable office space in the banks offices.
• Streamlining specific tasks with targeted tools: Technology products like Williams Lea’s LogoCloud are excellent examples of how targeted solutions can address specific inefficiencies. Sourcing and formatting logos might seem like a small task, but often it’s a surprisingly time-consuming one. By centralizing logo management and automating the formatting process, LogoCloud saves valuable time and ensures brand consistency across all pitchbooks. Look for other targeted tools that address specific pain points in the pitchbook process, such as data aggregation platforms or financial modeling software.
• Focus on integration: The key is to ensure that all these elements – intelligent automation, specialized support, and targeted tools – are integrated seamlessly. A well-integrated approach creates a streamlined workflow, minimizes manual touchpoints, and maximizes efficiency.

Ensuring resilience and competitiveness

Optimizing pitchbook creation is not just about efficiency; it’s about building resilience and competitiveness. The findings mentioned above show that in a rapidly changing industry, firms need to be agile and adaptable. By embracing a strategic approach to technology, partnerships, and process improvement, investment banks can create a more efficient and scalable pitchbook process. This allows them to respond quickly to market opportunities, deliver high-quality materials consistently, and ultimately, win more business. It also allows them to retain and develop their junior talent by freeing them from soul-crushing repetitive and administrative work and allowing them to focus on the core skills that will advance their careers and the firm’s success.

To find out more insights from over 300 bankers and operational leaders worldwide on the gap between dealmakers and operational leaders, download our report: Driving efficiency and outcomes in investment banking.

[1] https://fintechmagazine.com/articles/uk-finance-ai-spend-to-hit-record-levels-in-2025

[2] https://www.sage.com/en-us/blog/financial-services-industry-2025/