Leaving the banks: A dramatic shift in Israel's investment market

The number of investment advisors in Israeli banks has dropped from 1,360 to 1,068 over four years, yet the volume of money in advised portfolios has soared to a record 485.6 billion shekels. Advisors are moving to investment houses, portfolio management firms, and independent offices, while the public opens self-directed trading accounts via apps. The portfolio management sector grew by 18.5% in 2025.

The number of investment advisors in Israeli banks has fallen from 1,360 to 1,068 over four years, a decline of about 21%. However, the volume of money in advised bank portfolios has actually climbed to a record 485.6 billion shekels, indicating that demand for advice has not dropped but shifted elsewhere. Meanwhile, the portfolio management sector grew by 18.5% in 2025, reaching 493 billion shekels managed by 131 licensed firms. Advisors are moving to investment houses, portfolio management companies, and independent offices. The Israeli public is opening more self-directed trading accounts via apps, but these may become potential clients in the future as their portfolios grow. The article quotes Yuval Britman, a former bank advisor, who explains that the license belongs to the professional, not the bank, so organizational changes are not the end of the road but a move between addresses in a growing market.