WealthStack

As financial technology continues to evolve, one key area of change is the automation of routine tasks. For wealth management professionals, forms automation is essential for boosting efficiency, reducing manual errors, and enhancing the client experience. As the demand for faster, more seamless processes grows, many advisors are turning to automation solutions to streamline paperwork … Read More Read More

The rise of AI is creating a pivotal shift in wealth management—streamlining operations, enhancing client engagement, and helping advisors scale. While some firms remain hesitant, the future belongs to those embracing AI not as a replacement but as a co-pilot that empowers them to serve clients better and grow more efficiently. In this episode of … Read More Read More

What exactly does it take to ride the wave of independence in wealth management, and how can technology ease the transition? The breakaway movement is accelerating, with more advisors leaving traditional wirehouses to build independent RIAs that offer greater flexibility, control and client-centric service.  But with independence comes new challenges—scaling efficiently, selecting the right tech … Read More Read More

The landscape of wealth management is shifting, and alternative investments are emerging as a powerful tool for RIAs looking to drive organic growth and portfolio resilience. With increasing investor demand for access to institutional-grade opportunities, advisors must evolve their approach to stay competitive. In this episode of The WealthStack Podcast, host Shannon Rosic, director of … Read More Read More

The future of wealth management isn't just about managing portfolios—it's about leveraging technology to deliver personalized, client-centric solutions at scale. As the industry evolves, advisors and firms must adapt to new digital tools, automation and AI-driven insights to remain competitive. In this episode of the WealthStack Podcast, host Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and … Read More Read More

The rise of AI in wealth management isn't just about technological advancement; it's about fundamentally reshaping how advisors operate, engage with clients and scale their businesses. AI's ability to automate administrative tasks gives advisors more time to focus on strategic planning and client relationships—core elements of building trust and growing AUM. Firms that embrace this … Read More Read More

The WealthStack podcast is back for 2025, and advisors are navigating a whirlwind of challenges—think regulatory twists, inflationary pressures and a wealthtech marketplace that feels more crowded than a New York subway at rush hour. This perfect storm is setting the stage for a transformative year, where clarity and consolidation could bring some focus to … Read More Read More

Technology is no longer just a nice-to-have—it's essential for scaling and improving client outcomes. With increasing demands on advisors, platforms like Schwab are working to simplify, integrate and anticipate the next wave of innovation to help advisors thrive in an evolving landscape. In this episode of The WealthStack Podcast, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content … Read More Read More

Digital vaults are revolutionizing legacy planning by providing a secure, centralized and accessible solution for managing critical documents and assets. In an era where families are geographically dispersed, and financial lives are increasingly complex, digital vaults enable the seamless organization and sharing of important information, such as wills, insurance policies, deeds and health directives. By … Read More Read More

With over 62% of wealth management firms acknowledging that AI will significantly transform operations, it's becoming imperative to adopt AI responsibly while ensuring data integrity, regulatory compliance and robust cybersecurity. Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, chats with Alec Crawford, the founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, about how this firm is … Read More Read More

The buy versus build debate continues to rage on in the wealth management industry. Many of the largest wealth managers and RIAs have already created great software and technology that others can purchase and fold into their existing businesses. But Farther actually turned to creating their own in-house proprietary platforms to achieve success in a … Read More Read More

TAMPs have evolved significantly since their inception in the 1980s, becoming essential tools for advisors seeking to enhance operational efficiency and client service. Initially, TAMPs were designed to simplify portfolio management by providing access to pre-selected investment models and third-party asset managers, allowing advisors to outsource the heavy lifting of investment management. Over time, as … Read More Read More

The use of testimonials creates a powerful opportunity to amplify the potential reach of positive experiences through word-of-mouth sharing to new audiences. For financial advisors, online reputation is becoming increasingly important as clients turn to digital channels for information. Understanding how to leverage testimonials effectively can be a game-changer for business growth. In this episode … Read More Read More

Small to medium-sized businesses make up 99% of all U.S. businesses, and most of these business owners are unaware of their enterprise value. The episode dives into how Interval provides critical insights for business owners by automating business health analytics and delivering ongoing value monitoring, ultimately helping advisors provide better guidance by integrating business health … Read More Read More

Proactive client engagement through technology has become paramount, which means the role of the CRM has evolved. In an increasingly uncertain economic environment, advisors must future-proof their business models to scale operations and expand their reach. A key area to revisit is their CRM system, which has become crucial for delivering personalized services and enhancing … Read More Read More

Mergers and acquisitions often mark the beginning of a transformative journey, filled with both incredible opportunities and challenging headaches. Few industries offer more enticing M&A potential than wealth management, a fragmented sector where performance, processes, and personnel must consistently operate at peak efficiency. For financial advisory firms, regardless of size or type, preparing for acquisition … Read More Read More

When it comes to direct indexing, adoption and understanding has historically lagged because the tools were not readily available to advisors, and/or they were not intuitive to use. The evolution of direct indexing is not just a trend but a fundamental shift in the investment management industry, driven by technological innovation and the changing needs … Read More Read More

When you're a technology leader at a $1B+ wealth management firm, there's a lot that can keep you up at night. Technology issues are evolving, but fortunately, so are solutions. When it comes to the role of the CTO, technical and analytical skills are only part of the job. It might be the case that … Read More Read More

It's no secret that the healthcare and financial services industries are incredibly complicated and often don't easily talk to one another. In fact, medical bills are reported to be the number-one cause of U.S. bankruptcies. Healthcare costs represent a significant portion of an individual's or family's financial landscape, especially as they age. Ignoring this critical … Read More Read More

Philanthropy often remains an overlooked aspect in wealth planning, which traditionally focuses on wealth accumulation rather than distribution. But, high-net-worth individuals and families increasingly recognize that their financial legacy extends beyond the accumulation of assets. This growing interest in philanthropy demands a more integrated approach to planning, where giving is strategically aligned with overall financial … Read More Read More

SEC compliance is top of mind for RIAs across the country, and their cybersecurity needs are specific. RIAs have a fiduciary responsibility to protect their clients' data and assets, which can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks. A data breach could result in fines, penalties, and reputational damage. With the SEC proposing new rules to address cybersecurity … Read More Read More

For financial advisors, having a growth partner is essential for achieving sustainable success and scaling their business. The right partner can provide strategic insights, and enhance an advisor's operational efficiencies and client service capabilities. Through strategic partnerships, advisors can access new markets and opportunities more effectively, manage risks better, and stay ahead of industry trends, … Read More Read More

LPL Financial has been a leader in the independent broker/dealer space for years, serving nearly 22,000 financial advisors representing over $1 trillion of brokerage and advisory assets. This means the business needs its infrastructure to be fast, reliable and secure. Everything LPL does is positioned around helping advisors take care of their clients, with technology … Read More Read More

Is estate planning the next frontier of wealth management? Estate planning solutions are becoming steadily more popular with advisors, especially those seeking to differentiate their services. As clients become increasingly aware of the complexities of wealth transfer, asset protection, and legacy planning, they expect comprehensive guidance from their advisors. By using estate planning tools, advisors … Read More Read More

The approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs by the Securities and Exchange Commission dominated trends in the first quarter of 2024. But how did we even get to this point? While Bitcoin has been around since 2009, cryptocurrencies have quickly evolved from digital novelties to trillion-dollar technologies, poised to disrupt the global financial system. Digital currencies … Read More Read More

For years, firms have benefited from a rising equity market and an equally long period of near-zero interest rates. RIAs found themselves in a position where they could achieve growth with minimal effort. However, most executives in wealth management are not content with this passive approach to growth. The secret to RIA growth lies in … Read More Read More

The advent of wealthtech represents both a significant opportunity and a challenge. On one hand, it offers tools that can enhance efficiency, improve client engagement, and enable more personalized, data-driven advice. On the other hand, it demands a shift in mindset and skill set, requiring advisors to become adept at integrating new technologies into their … Read More Read More

Financial advisors are much more than just “money experts”, and their role is evolving from traditional wealth advising to a more personalized wealth coaching approach. As the needs of investors become more complex, advisors are relying heavily on technology to help them become more efficient and streamline operations. By saving time and money, they're truly … Read More Read More

Evaluating technology ROI is crucial for ensuring that investments in digital tools and platforms directly contribute to operational efficiency and client satisfaction. This process helps to align technology spending with the firm's strategic goals, driving growth and enhancing the value delivered to clients. Ultimately, evolving digital experiences for clients and advisors can help firms deliver … Read More Read More

The custodial space is notoriously difficult to break into, but Betterment wasn't afraid to take the leap. While larger custodians are locked in a battle for scale, Betterment saw an opportunity to better serve smaller RIAs by helping them leverage the platform to support their growth and operational efficiency. In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director … Read More Read More

The future of the wealth management industry isn't going to be dominated by robots. Instead, it will be an evolving hybrid market in which human advisors use digital techniques to gather data and generate thoughtful, and more precise recommendations faster and more objectively than they do today. When it comes to artificial intelligence, the challenge … Read More Read More

The fastest-growing, most resilient RIAs are relying on modern technology to deliver a differentiated experience and keep up with client expectations. Given the significant amount of market turmoil over the past year, having the right technology, data, tools and perspective are more important than ever to navigate volatility and a dynamic risk landscape. Fortunately, Addepar … Read More Read More

Is the perfect tech stack a unicorn…does it even exist? The battle between all-in-one versus best-of-breed wages on. But, Practifi, a performance optimization platform, is on a mission to help wealth management firms create the perfect tech stack. Can a firm get an idealized tech stack for their needs? Absolutely. Would it be perfect for … Read More Read More

Nebo, which stands for needs based optimization, was born after nearly a decade of GMO research focused on solving for optimal portfolio construction that seeks to minimize shortfall risk. Nebo has already passed $1B in platform assets, after launching in 2022, and the brilliant minds at the firm are on a mission to bridge the … Read More Read More

AI continues to dominate headlines in the wealth management space. But, will it eventually end up replacing everything outside of actual conversations between an advisor and a client? Possibly. Generative AI may still seem intimidating to many, but the reality is the future belongs to those who are willing to learn and implement it correctly. … Read More Read More

Is a picture worth a thousand words? In the case of visiWealth, the answer is yes. Financial planning is complicated and often full of jargon that is complex. As advisors know, when complexity increases, understanding can often decrease, and it can be a challenge to get clients to trust what they don't understand. This is … Read More Read More

A powerful CRM is crucial for financial advisors if they ultimately want to grow their business. As firms gain access to more and more data, the CRM has become the centralized hub to capture, organize and manage data through the entire client lifecycle. With more information available than ever before, advisors can use this technology … Read More Read More

The role of the CTO has morphed into a complex, evolving set of responsibilities. Historically, technology was seen as an expense to reduce, but as firms redefine themselves in this digital era, we're seeing the technology strategy become intertwined with business strategy. Yet, very few RIAs have a CTO. As technology and data become central … Read More Read More

The emergence of WealthTech-as-a-Service is redefining the wealth management industry. Now, APIs are shaping the future of financial services by providing access to valuable data, enhancing integration and automation, enabling personalization, supporting scalability, and reducing costs. With the increased availability of data, wealthtech firms can quickly develop new products and connect with different financial systems … Read More Read More

More than 60% of families in the U.S. do not have a plan to protect their loved ones. Estate planning can have several moving parts, and many people get turned off by the process. But, Trust & Will is on a mission to make estate planning simple and affordable—with the end goal to make it … Read More Read More

*Since recording this episode, Onramp Invest has been acquired by Securitize, with a mission to expand alternative asset access for RIAs. The advent of digital assets has led to the development of new financial products with the ability to profoundly change where and how wealth is invested. Fortunately, Onramp is on a mission to bring … Read More Read More

What happens to the wealth management industry when your clients can leave you with a click of a button on their smartphone? Change continues to sweep through the industry, with technology playing a critical role. In order for firms to succeed, they should be focused on future-proofing their practice, which means they need to adapt … Read More Read More

The risk landscape is rapidly evolving, and wealth managers are seeking out new solutions to measure and manage risk for their clients' investment portfolios. This area of financial planning goes well beyond a risk tolerance number, but, is technology keeping up?  In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with risk … Read More Read More

Marc Chaikin didn't have to come out of retirement, but after watching the 2008 financial crisis unfold around him, he decided to build a technological solution. Based on a 20-factor quantitative model to generate investing ideas, the hope was to build a platform that would make managing money easy for retail investors. It all came … Continue reading The WealthStack Podcast: 2023 Market Predictions with Marc Chaikin →

RIAs have a billing problem. Mainly because the process has always been manual and prone to errors. Enter Smart Kx – the only software system designed specifically to help financial advisors dynamically and accurately manage client contracts and fee billing.  In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Lacey Shrum, … Continue reading The WealthStack Podcast: Fixing the RIA Fee Billing Conundrum with Lacey Shrum →

When it comes to retirement income planning, an advisor's role must go beyond getting clients to retirement, it's also about getting them through retirement. If advisors only concentrate on accumulation and don't help their clients plan for and support them through decumulation, they're likely going to lose those clients and all the assets they worked … Continue reading The WealthStack Podcast: Demystifying the Decumulation Phase of Retirement Planning with Sheryl O'Connor →

The value of protective investments has become more evident as the traditional 60/40 portfolio allocation has continued to become less attractive. Investors are seeking alternatives that will mitigate risk regarding today's main macro market trends, and advisors must consider a “new model portfolio” that incorporates protective investments as they become more mainstream and accessible. In … Continue reading The WealthStack Podcast: Building Protective Investment Solutions with Joanna Kanakis →

As financial planning becomes more accessible, the U.S. population is looking to become more “financially fit”. Advisors can help clients achieve this by having a deep understanding of their client's financial situation, risk tolerance, objectives, and preferences. In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with CEO and Founder of Asset-Map, … Continue reading The WealthStack Podcast: The Future of Financial Wellness with Adam Holt of Asset-Map →

RIAs who are seeking balance between evolving high-tech solutions with high-touch advisory services may need to consider a tech-forward TAMP. The TAMP model continues to be appealing to advisors because it offloads so much operational work that can take up a significant amount of time. So, how does a firm like GeoWealth support an RIA' … Continue reading The WealthStack Podcast: What Do Advisors Really Need in a TAMP with Colin Falls of GeoWealth →

After spending years in a suit and tie and feeling held back by technology within the broker-world, Derek Notman, CFP®, made the decision to take his practice completely virtual. While that was back in 2013, he has since designed a tech stack that satisfies the needs not only for his business, but one that his … Continue reading The WealthStack Podcast: Keeping Tech Simple as a Virtual Advisor with Derek Notman →

From the metaverse to alternative investments, the future of investing is going to look very different. Alternatives have historically been reserved for institutions, as alternative asset managers targeted those who could write the biggest checks. But that's now starting to change as tech companies look to the retail market, opening up opportunities to wealth managers, … Continue reading The WealthStack Podcast: The Future of Investing with John O'Connell of The Oasis Group →