WealthTech on Deck

According to Cerulli’s research, “22% of wealth managers said consolidating to a unified managed household (UMH) is a significant priority, with half reporting it as a moderate priority for their firm moving forward.” This discovery is aligned with wealth managers shifting away from transactional brokerage relationships and prioritizing fee-based assets. The Unified Managed Household (UMH) goes fu...

The wealth management industry has changed tremendously over the last 20 years, and it’s difficult to remember that what we now consider the norm developed over time. Merrill Lynch’s shift towards goal-based wealth management transformed the industry and moved beyond a narrow focus on ROI. This new approach better-served clients by prioritizing their actual goals such as supporting family members,...

Innovation is often accompanied by a fear of failing, and many industry leaders perceive change as a threat rather than an opportunity for progress. This is especially true of the asset and wealth management industries, which are both rooted in tradition and predictability. So what happens when a company serving asset managers, wealth managers, and financial advisors adopts new approaches and leve...

Comfort is the enemy of progress, especially in business. Adapting to new models and driving change is frightening, due to fear and risk of failure. Some industries are better than others at embracing disruption, but the insurance industry often needs to catch up. When systems are working well enough, not everyone sees value in taking a different approach. Change may be uneasy, but it also brings...

Satisfied customers are the foundation of any successful business. Keeping customers satisfied means that every interaction must be positive, from the first contact to closing a deal. Positive client experiences build loyalty and retention, while negative client experiences damage a company’s reputation. By prioritizing the client experience, companies differentiate themselves in a crowded marketp...

In today's competitive business landscape, it feels daunting and nearly impossible to gain the attention of prospects. Everyone is selling something, and potential clients are inundated with marketing messaging that all blurs together. It’s no longer enough to have a website, write a blog post, or have a social media presence. How can you stand out in the sea of sameness?  Mike Saunders, President...

ChatGPT may have recently taken the world by storm, but artificial intelligence is not new. AI’s greatest strength has always been its ability to personalize information in seconds. With the advancement and accessibility of technology, these AI solutions have become popularized, even in the financial services sector.  Vinay Nair is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of TIFIN, a company that makes inve...

With economic uncertainty on the horizon, employees are feeling more anxious than ever about job stability, inflation, and their retirement plans. It wasn’t too long ago that employees had the upper hand during the Great Resignation, but it seems as though the power dynamic has shifted out of employees’ favor.  Jacquelyn Reardon, Head of Client Experience for Retirement, Insurance, 529, and Wealth...

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we think about everything - the way we work, the way we interact, the way we approach safety, healthcare, and even grocery shopping. COVID-19 forced many people to reflect on the state of their finances and underscored the importance of planning for unforeseen circumstances. The ability to lean on trusted financial advisors proved to be more crucial than ever....

As financial services advance, people increasingly use digital tools and platforms to manage their finances. While these tools can be highly effective, they may not always align with the person's values and aspirations. How can people utilize new technologies and platforms while ensuring that their financial decisions align with their values and aspirations rather than simply following algorithms...

A startling 6.6% of Fortune 500 companies have women as their CEOs and only 23% of C-Suites are made up of women. Such statistics show that gender bias is prevalent despite increased traction and awareness around diversity, equity, and inclusion. While progress is slow, thankfully, it is not stagnant. Many businesses receive questions about the lack of diversity within their organization and what...

Technology is an agent of innovation and a driver of the digital world, where everything is smarter, searchable, and instantaneous. Gone are the days when you had to sift through hundreds of papers in a briefcase, send off important documents in the mail, or find contact information using a Rolodex. We typically think of digital natives as the main adopters of tech, but tech enthusiasts can be fou...

Technology has been changing the way we do business for years, and its impact will continue to affect our business outcomes as tech gets smarter. Still, no matter how good tech gets, human connectivity is irreplaceable in building a strong business. The combination of tech and human connectivity can be doubly powerful when executed properly.  Enter Halo Investing, a platform that provides access t...

Physicians are some of the nation’s highest earners, but they are not without their own unique financial challenges. By the time physicians earn their MDs, several factors work against them: the time value of money, delayed earnings, and substantial debt. Compared to their corporate peers who have been working for 10+ years, there is a compressed number of years to accumulate wealth. Most financia...

The word "retirement" is often associated with images of white sand beaches, golf courses, and senior discounts. However, the reality of retirement is changing. The traditional retirement model is no longer feasible for many people. No longer is it about sitting back and stopping work altogether. It's about living a life of purpose and meaning, finding new and creative ways to work, or staying act...

In this episode, Jack talks with Ken Cella, Principal of Branch Development at Edward Jones. In his role, Ken empowers nearly 19,000 financial advisors and their branch teams to serve 8 million clients across North America.  Also joining the conversation is Ken Dychtwald, Founder and CEO of Age Wave. Ken is a psychologist, gerontologist, researcher, speaker, and best-selling author.  Ken Cella and...

The demographic shift toward an older population, concerns about the financial sustainability of traditional pension systems, and lengthening life expectancies are just a few of the challenges facing retirement systems today. While having human and digital advice connected and coordinated is key to the wealth management ecosystem, how can financial advisory firms accelerate the development of weal...

A secure retirement doesn't just happen. It needs to start with planning and saving early. People are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of retirement savings as they age but still fail to save enough. While there are several reasons for this, others simply do not have easy access to a retirement savings plan at work. In this episode, Jack talks with Michelle Tran, SVP & Head of Enterpr...

One of the most important aspects of digital transformation is the need to bring together assets, people, and processes. The merging and acquisition of the best wealth management platform can bring together the best of all three. This strategy brings together the best of what each company has to offer— award-winning asset management, an industry-leading client experience, and the scale to service...

Nowadays, marketing is about more than just advertising. It's about creating a connection with your customers and giving them a positive experience that will make them want to return for more. In financial services, happy customers are worth their weight in gold.  In this episode, Jack talks with Kimberly Beck, Chief Marketing Officer at YieldX. Kimberly has nearly 25 years of experience in the fi...

It’s been an amazing year for WealthTech on Deck podcast. Jack Sharry interviewed some inspiring and successful thought leaders in the financial services industry. In this year-end edition of the WealthTech on Desk podcast, Jack Sharry, LifeYield's EVP, Chief Growth Officer, and show host, takes the spotlight as Matt Nollman, VP of Marketing, takes the host seat. WealthTech on Deck is the perfect...

In this episode, Jack talks with Deep Srivastav, Senior Vice President and Head of Digital Investment Solutions for Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions. Joining them is Martin Cowley, Executive Vice President and Head of Product at LifeYield.  In his role, Deep is responsible for the development and deployment of Franklin Templeton's investment solutions through digital channels. It involves l...

The art of storytelling is one of the oldest and most powerful tools in the human toolbox. For centuries, stories have been used to teach, entertain, and connect people from all walks of life. In recent years, storytelling has made a comeback in the business world as a powerful marketing tool. But what makes a good story? And how can you use stories to connect with your audience in a way that feel...

In this episode, Jack talks with Kaitlin Hendrix, Senior Researcher and Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors, and Shawn Jaberzadeh, Vice President on the Global Client Group at Dimensional Fund Advisors. In her role, Kaitlin conducts research and analyses to evaluate and enhance Dimensional's investment strategies. She focuses on asset allocation research to develop value-added investment s...

Over the years, businesses have focused on providing the best products and services. While this is still important, it's no longer enough. Client experience is the new battleground in today's business environment and will only become more important in the years to come. In this episode, Jack talks with Greg Menefee, Senior Vice President of Consulting & Implementation at Orion Advisor Tech. As a l...