WEALTHTECH

Let’s blame it on the dog days of summer.

Whether it’s the heat or just families trying to get in one last vacation before kids head back to school, the wealthtech beat has slowed down after a busy couple of months.

Thankfully, we still have plenty of great stuff this week to help get you through it, starting with some interesting new data from Parameter Insights that casts doubt on a popular narrative about scores of new investors who flocked to DIY trading apps during COVID lockdowns. Turns out they aren’t all looking for additional help with investing — either from a robo or a human — and for the first time in years, the presence of an advisor actually declined among U.S. investors. Some wealth management firms are responding in a way that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago — they are launching their own DIY trading apps.

I also had the honor this week of joining my colleague Tobias Salinger’s award-winning podcast (seriously, if you haven’t checked out his Access Denied series on systemic racism in financial services, I can’t recommend it enough) to discuss findings from our most recent fintech survey. We also have a video from our ongoing Leaders series featuring a panel of venture capital and private equity executives discussing where they see the best investment opportunities in wealthtech.

Speaking of panels, fall is just around the corner and this year it will have the return of our annual fintech conference, INVEST Connect! I’m really excited to get back to in-person events, and I hope to see you there, November 15 and 16 in New York City. And for those still worried about in-person gatherings, or just prefer to not travel, the event will be available online a week later. Check it out! 

Toby Salinger Ryan Neal
Technology Editor, Financial Planning

As investors rush toward online trading apps, more wealth managers may offer self-directed investing

By Ryan W. Neal       3 min read

Fewer Americans are working with advisors, especially those already managing money online, new research shows.  Read story →

5 questions about FP’s annual tech survey

By Tobias Salinger      

After a poll of more than 350 financial advisors, Tech Editor Ryan Neal discusses how practices are changing amid the pandemic. Read story →

VC and PE insights: Which technologies are on the edge of breaking out?

Industry experts weigh in on the future of wealth management. Read story →

Existential choice for fintech disruptors: Reinvent or perish

By Jason Wenk       4 min read

This is not a world for small ideas, and the sooner many narrowly focused upstart financial technology companies come to grips with that reality, the better.  Read story →

Plaid settles class-action lawsuit for $58 million

By Penny Crosman       2 min read

The San Francisco data aggregator has committed to minimizing how much data it extracts from bank accounts.  Read story →

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