At the end of every year, we compile a list of the most popular posts that were published on WM Today. It’s a great way to look back on what happened this year, and an insight-packed view of what really resonates with our readers.
10. Going Mobile: Review of AssetMark’s New iPad App
As part of my series on ways in which mobile technology is transforming wealth management, I reviewed an iPad app recently launched AssetMark. AssetMark is an asset management provider to independent financial advisors who want to outsource all or part of their investment management.
9. Why Haven’t Advisors Embraced Unified Managed Accounts?
A summary of a fantastic panel discussion from the MMI Tech & Ops Conference. Covers topics including: How will the market share dynamics change between Rep as PM and Rep as Advisor? Will assets in UMA programs return to pre-financial crisis levels based on their recent performance? What are some ways that firms can improve oversight of rep-directed programs?
8. FolioDynamix Snapped Up for $200 Million in Cash
My comments on the acquisition of a leading turnkey asset management provider by a former dotcom tech holding company as told to Fundfire. (I still don’t see the synergy of this deal…)
7. Current Trends in UMH Programs & Technology
An overview of a session from the FRA’s Managed Accounts and UMA Summit. An explanation of how Apple’s ecosystem is like a UMH. How UMH programs have evolved over time. The essential UMH elements and how they are impacted by platform consolidation.
6. Bill Harris Takes a Dive at MMI During His Personal Capital Promotional Tour
Bill Harris was running late. The CEO of Personal Capital had agreed to be part of the advisor technology panel at the Money Management Institute’s 2014 Fall Solutions Conference. It was already past 12:30pm, when the panel was scheduled to begin and Bill had not yet arrived. He had gotten stuck in traffic on his way through Manhattan after his appearance on CNBC that morning promoting his company.
5. Merrill Streamlines Their Platform To Deliver UMH for Clients
My comments on a new feature that Merrill Lynch has implemented as part of their $100 million platform consolidation project. The project, called Merrill One, is replacing five other legacy programs, some of which have been running for over 25 years. Fundfire was interested in my opinion as to whether the rest of the industry is also moving in this direction and what progress they have made so far.
4. What Robo-Advisors Can Teach Us About Focusing on the Client
This is a summary of a TechOps Track Session titled, “Empowering Advisors: Delivering Tools that Support Today’s Client Needs” from the Money Management Institute’s 2014 Fall Solutions Conference. The discussion topic was supposed to be centered on how firms are delivering new advisor tools to help them customize solutions for different client segments.
However, the actual conversations were dominated by the threat of robo-advisors, areas where they have succeeded and how firms need to change to meet this challenge to the industry.
3. The Best of Both Worlds: Portfolio Rebalancing + Best Execution = BlazePortfolio
An in-depth review of the portfolio rebalancing solution from BlazePortfolio, which is targeted squarely at the RIA market. Specifically, at advisors who not only make their own investment decisions, but have an understanding of order management and the value of controlling their trade execution.
2. Which Portfolio Rebalancing So
ftware is Right for You?
This article has been a steady favorite of WM Today readers since it was first published in Feb 2013. It was the #1 most popular post last year and was just squeezed out of the top stop this year by about 15%. A panel of portfolio management experts from Total Rebalance Expert (TRX), Envestnet/Tamarac, TD Ameritrade/iRebal and TradeWarrior bumped heads on product differentiators, rebalance efficiency and integration support.
1. Which Financial Planning Software is Right For You?
Swapping spots with Which Portfolio Rebalancing Software is Right for You? is this article that highlights financial planning tools from PIETech (MoneyGuide Pro), Zywave (NaviPlan), inStream Solutions and FinanceLogix.
Thanks for supporting our efforts in 2014 to share our knowledge base in wealth management. Here’s to a prosperous and successful 2015 for everyone. (even those who don’t read WM Today!)
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Related WM Today Content
What Robo-Advisors Can Teach Us About Focusing on the Client
Current Trends in UMH Programs & Technology
Bill Harris Takes a Dive at MMI on His Personal Capital Promotional Tour
