It’s no secret that financial technology (or fintech) is quickly changing the financial industry, and financial advisers can either ignore the inevitable modernisation of their craft or embrace emerging technology to elevate their business. Here’s what you need to know about robo-advisers and fintech and how it may be the missing link to gaining a competitive edge while providing enhanced offerings. Let’s get into it.
Digital tools and the financial advisery industry
The financial industry is no stranger to having to adapt. When the electronic spreadsheet was introduced, the accounting industry experienced a dramatic shift, doing away with handwritten bookkeeping ledgers. Now, digital tools offer new ways to streamline and optimise systems once again. The only difference is the variety of tools and tech for choosing. So, how can financial advisers gauge fintech and which tools are worth implementing? Here’s the deal.
What are robo-advisers?
In brief, ‘robo-advisers’ refer to digital wealth management software or automated investment applications. In general, robo-adviser tools are cloud or web-based solutions that can provide various financial management services using Artificial Intelligence (AI) or with limited to no human intervention.
However, not all are created equally. The trick to implementing the right one? Looking at the benefits they provide the client as well as the business and finding the sweet spot between human interaction and automation.
Benefits of integrating robo-advisery tools
There is a range of tools available that financial advisers have at their disposal, some worth investing in and some worth giving a skip. The right tool stack, however, can should offer significant benefits to financial advisers. Here’s a look into the three core aspects when choosing your tech stack; client experience, data and analytics, and optimisation.
Improve client experience
Regarding client experience, robo-adviser tools offer a wealth of potential, ultimately catering to firms looking to improve accessibility, convenience and self-service capabilities. One example is AI-powered chatbots, providing basic customer service and guidance, or mobile applications that can enable clients to access their investment portfolios and financial data better. This provides greater autonomy to clients and improves the transparency between adviser and client, ultimately strengthening the client experience and fostering greater trust.
Data and analytics
Data insights and analytics is the other fundamental driving factor for financial advisers adopting fintech into their business. Financial advisery platforms can mitigate the risk of human error while providing valuable analytics and insights into a client’s financial behaviour and data. By leveraging this, a financial adviser can make better-informed decisions and better understand financial trends and patterns that may highlight investment opportunities that align with client preferences and risk profiles.
Optimisation
In an increasingly competitive industry, resource-intensive manual tasks will not stand the test of time. Due to this, one of the most compelling attributes of fintech tools is its ability to reduce repetitive manual tasks and replace them with streamlined solutions. Take commission management, for example.
Commission management software enables independent financial advisers to manage revenue streams and commissions in one centralised solution. The comprehensive system generally includes various features designed to help track, manage, and calculate commissions earned by advisers, giving them ample time to focus on other fundamental business tasks.
A human touch in a digital landscape
Although digital tools and fintech offer significant advantages, it’s essential to pay attention to the significance of the human element within financial advisery. Financial advisery’s core is building trust to establish and maintain long-term client relationships. Human advisers can provide beyond the capabilities of algorithms and automation, especially in complex and nuanced circumstances where advisers must lean on their experience and expertise to navigate a client’s circumstances and variables.
By understanding the impact and importance of emotional intelligence and empathy for effective financial advisery, small firms can find a healthy balance between fintech and personal client relationships, utilising technology as an enabler, not a replacement, for human connection.
Balance automated solutions with tailored financial advice
By embracing the digital shift and working with robo-advisers, advisers can provide personalised advice while leveraging technology-driven solutions. It’s time to adapt, innovate, and utilise technology to serve clients better and thrive in the financial landscape.
