Are Wealth Managers Embracing Their AI Moment?
Published Date : 05/11/2024
The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial services industry is growing, but wealth management remains largely human-operated. Solopreneur wealth managers can benefit from AI tools for payroll, administration, and database management, but there are still challenges to overcome.
The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial services industry appears as inevitable as death and taxes. From mobile banking to trading and asset management, AI is being used to support investment research, implement strategy shifts, and manage accounts. However, one segment remains almost entirely operated by humans wealth management. Financial advisors handle nearly all aspects of their business, from devising wealth management plans to submitting compliance reports on time.These time-intensive efforts disproportionately affect solopreneur wealth managers, who are leaving big firms for smaller shops or solo practices. For these solopreneurs, AI can step in where a full- or part-time human counterpart used to be the only option. AI can handle administrative and operational workflows, allowing advisors to focus more on client interactions.Deploying AI for daily and critical functions like payroll, administration, and database management can save solo practitioners and small shops money, time, and bandwidth. AI-enabled workflow automation can also reduce the risk of compliance issues and customer-facing inaccuracies.However, challenges remain. The ability of human practitioners to embrace change is one such challenge. Financial advisors, including seasoned experts, are generally open to change. According to a Fidelity report, one in six wealth advisors switched firms between 2019 and 2023, with many opting to go independent. An Accenture study found that 87% of advisors are willing to invest time in learning about and adopting AI tools if they see a clear benefit.On the tech side, regulatory, compliance, and adoption roadblocks still stand in the way of AI in wealth management. We are just beginning to understand how AI can be helpful and practical in this highly regulated industry. However, there are opportunities to incorporate AI in ways that address areas prone to human error.For example, a single extra space in a client's name in an ACATS transfer can lead to the custodial bank partner rejecting the paperwork, causing significant delays. AI can help avoid such errors. Additionally, due to SEC and Finra compliance rules, every communication with a client must be archived. AI can capture all client communications across channels and even send post-meeting recaps, preventing human errors in archiving.Morgan Stanley has deployed an AI assistant named Debrief to support advisors and junior staff by accurately capturing meeting notes and proposing draft correspondences. One oversight or mistake can derail a client-advisor relationship, land an advisor in trouble with regulators, and reduce revenue. Large firms with dedicated teams have an advantage, but solo entrepreneurs and small shops are under more pressure to win and keep business while adhering to regulations.In wealth management, as in other people-centric industries like insurance and healthcare, there is a movement to provide solutions for independent and resource-strapped advisors. AI and other back-office technology can help these advisors manage administrative tasks compliantly and efficiently, offering a path to sustainable business growth.Ultimately, embracing the workflow automation side of AI can help financial advisors retain the industry's humanity while helping clients sustain and grow their wealth. It's a win-win.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS):
Q: Why is AI adoption significant for solopreneur wealth managers?
A: AI adoption is significant for solopreneur wealth managers because it can handle administrative and operational tasks, saving them time and resources. This allows them to focus more on client interactions and grow their business.
Q: What are the main challenges in AI adoption for wealth management?
A: The main challenges include regulatory and compliance roadblocks, the need for human practitioners to embrace change, and the initial investment in learning and adopting new AI tools.
Q: How can AI help in compliance with SEC and Finra rules?
A: AI can help in compliance by accurately capturing all client communications across channels and ensuring that every piece of communication is archived, reducing the risk of human error and regulatory issues.
Q: What is an example of an AI tool being used in wealth management?
A: Morgan Stanley's AI assistant named Debrief is an example. It supports advisors by accurately capturing meeting notes and proposing draft correspondences for review before sending.
Q: What are the benefits of AI in workflow automation for wealth managers?
A: The benefits of AI in workflow automation include cost savings, time efficiency, reduced risk of compliance issues, and improved accuracy in client communications and data management.