Wealth management is an industry that requires a unique combination of financial acumen, client service, and technology savvy. These advisors must manage complex portfolios, demonstrate value add, and maintain the trust of clients who are typically high net worth and prefer personal relationships over digital interactions. This blog post will introduce you to eight emerging technologies that can help you transform your practice, increase productivity and remain competitive in this fast-changing environment.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the “new kid on the block” of financial technology. It has received significant attention and investment in the last two years and has the potential to change the industry landscape. AI is a broad term that includes natural language processing, machine learning, image recognition, etc. All of these have in common that they require massive amounts of data to train and improve. Financial technology providers, especially those with strong data science capabilities, and independent investors are now using an AI app for investing in innovative ways for wealth management. Some of the use cases for AI in wealth management include:
- Investment strategy optimization
- Portfolio construction
- Natural language understanding
- Image recognition
Robo-Advisors
Robo-advisors are automated online wealth management services that provide financial advice based on your risk tolerance and financial goals. They have been established since 2012 and have grown extremely popular over the last few years. Robo-advisors manage your investment portfolio based on your risk profile and financial goals. They are beneficial for investors who are not financial experts. You can get started with a robo-advisor by answering a few questions about your risk tolerance and financial goals. The robo-advisor will then recommend an appropriate portfolio based on your desired risk level. The robo-advisor will rebalance your portfolio and reinvest your dividends. Robo-advisors are primarily digital services that operate via a web or mobile application. They are an attractive option for investors who don’t want to maintain a portfolio themselves and prefer to outsource the work. While many robo-advisors are fully automated, they are not a “set and forget” service. Many require you to periodically rebalance your portfolio to ensure it complies with the risk profile you’ve selected.
Blockchain
Blockchain was first introduced in 2009 as part of the digital currency Bitcoin. It’s a distributed ledger where each transaction is recorded and verified by a network of computers. Every transaction is verified by a network of computers and recorded on a distributed ledger. The data is stored across a network of computers. This creates a highly secure and transparent environment. In other words, the blockchain is a distributed database that can be used to track transactions. It can be a transparent and safe way to transfer funds between two parties. What makes blockchain appealing to the financial services industry is its inherent security. A distributed computer network verifies transactions, and the data is encrypted and unchangeable. Because of this, the blockchain is considered to be much more secure than traditional databases.
Investment portfolio management apps
Investment portfolio management apps allow you to manage your investment portfolio online. They essentially let you operate your portfolio from your computer or mobile device. You can track your investment performance, make portfolio adjustments (e.g., rebalance your portfolio, add new investments, etc.) and track your financial goals. Many apps provide insights and actionable advice based on your specific portfolio, risk tolerance, and financial goals. This can help you make smarter portfolio decisions.
Conclusion
Wealth management is not an easy business. It requires a unique combination of financial acumen, client service, and technology savvy. However, it’s also very rewarding. The technology solutions mentioned can help you to improve your investment experience and build wealth.