This is what Brits think the stereotypical “investor” looks like – wearing a sharp, well-fitted suit, and a Rolex watch. A digital artist used AI to create the image, based on feedback from 2,000 people who were quizzed about investing – with four in 10 saying they believe investing is only for “wealthy people”.
And based on their responses, the stereotypical investor is a male in his early 40s, who is most likely to eat an expensive steak with salad in a cosy home office.
Other items in their possession include a briefcase, multiple smartphones, and expensive cufflinks – while one in six envisioned them wearing a Bluetooth headset, so they could remain handsfree on calls.
The research, which was commissioned by Virgin Money to support their ambition of helping investors grow their money as simply as possible, challenges stereotypical perceptions of what investors are.
It revealed 32 percent believe they would be priced out of making any meaningful money from any investments of their own.
One in four simply aren’t sure whether investing is affordable, with the average adult believing you would need to invest a minimum of almost £1,600 to give it a go.
However, 32 percent admitted they don’t have a deep understanding of how it all works, while a third wouldn’t know where to start – and 68 percent think investing is simply too complicated for them, with too much unnecessary jargon involved.
Jonathan Byrne, chief executive officer at Virgin Money Investments, said: “The landscape of investing has changed massively in recent years, becoming more accessible and popular with new audiences, especially young adults.
“This research shows many people still think of investing as out of reach and requiring large sums of money to get started – but that’s just not true. It’s actually becoming significantly simpler to do so – investing can be as straightforward as opening a savings account.”
The study found 35 percent do have confidence in their investing ability – believing that if they were to invest today, they’d make a return.
Just under half (49 percent) would be more inclined to try investing if they were able to do so with smaller sums of money – with an average of £166 a month considered a comfortable amount.
Stocks, or stocks & shares ISAs, were the most familiar methods of investing for respondents, alongside bonds and cryptocurrencies.
And the research, carried out through OnePoll, found that 46 percent believe investing in a fund is seen as a good method of doing so.
The findings follow a study published last year, which found younger age groups have started to invest more.
The FCA data identified a six percent increase among 18-24 and 25-34-year-olds, and a five percent increase among 35-44-year-olds, between 2020 and 2022.
Jonathan Byrne, from Virgin Money Investments, which enables people to invest from just £25 a month in a Stocks and Shares ISA, Investment account, or a pension, added: “Investing can be for anyone, and we believe it’s one of the best ways for people to grow their money.
“It’s easy to think it’s only for the wealthy, but that’s not the case anymore – the fact that more women and younger generations are getting involved with investing is a positive sign.
“We want to challenge the investor stereotype for good, and show that investing is a great option for lots of people.
“You certainly don’t need a fancy suit, Rolex, or home office to make your money work harder, which is why we’ve made investing straightforward, with no jargon, no waffle – just three no-nonsense options.”
