Technology News from Financial Planning

Industry experts say custodial firms' services have largely become "commoditized." The acquisition of Altruist opens the door for Vanguard to have cutting-edge services related to tax planning, cash sorting and more.

With its Digital Managed Solutions robo advisory service, Edward Jones is moving into territory already occupied by Fidelity and Vanguard. But it's building the offering on one of its greatest strengths: its network of branch advisors.

Recruiter Jeff Nash of Bridgemark Strategies created five calculator tools that aim to help financial advisors understand the key contributors to their revenue, expenses and take-home compensation as they weigh their potential next moves.

Firms are using AI more than ever, but few have adopted clear policies outlining human oversight or how third-party vendors should handle cybersecurity.

As Vestmark marks 25 years, CEO Karl Roessner explains how the RIA-focused platform grew to $50 billion by leaning into AI while keeping client data in-house.

In a constantly changing industry, clearing and custody fees defy generalizations. The largest independent broker-dealers present financial advisors with the choice of working with a "self-clearing" firm or one that outsources those essential services.

Web designer Bonfire Studio asked ChatGPT for advisor recommendations in five metro markets. The results give advisors more reason to tend to their online presence.

Altruist has earned legions of fans among financial advisors for sleek technology and low, clear fees. But its critics question whether that is enough to catch up to the giants that have dominated the business for decades.

Dispatch and NetLaw target two different kinds of relocation friction. One for advisors switching firms, one for clients crossing state lines.

FinTok and AI financial advice have created a new era for wealth advisors — one ripe with online misinformation. But planners say that risky internet advice actually increases their value.

The rise of humanoid robots as home-care assistants will rewrite retirement budgets. Forward-thinking advisors who understand the coming shift will be well-positioned to help clients.

As AI tools take over more of the research, drafting and prep work that once taught new advisors the job, firms are racing to figure out what should replace it.

Where do automated workflows end and advisor-owned outcomes begin? RIAs need to get the answer in writing before their tech stack goes live.

In a webinar last week, Humanity Labs CEO Andrei Pop discussed "the transformative power" he said Mariner's new AI workforce will bring to the firm.

A new survey found artificial intelligence was a top compliance-related priority for 85% of firms responding, while cybersecurity was only a concern for 37%.

Client testimonials tend to carry a lot of weight in AI results for online searches for advisors. But most firms still aren't using them.

Raymond James posted record client assets, continued strong advisor recruiting and rolled out its proprietary AI assistant in a strong third quarter.

SEI may not be the first firm that comes to mind when thinking about the industry's custodians, but the firm has built a substantial client base of financial advisors over more than 30 years.

If an advisor's tax offerings aren't visible to AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity, they effectively don't exist for today's prospective clients.

In pitting AI agents against historic 60-40 portfolio results, JPMorgan found AI won every time. But researchers could not rule out the possibility that the systems could have essentially cheated.