Opportunities for The Modern Investment Advisor

Registered investment advisors play a crucial role in the financial services industry. They guide their clients to help them grow their wealth. Over the past few years, there have been significant changes to the financial landscape. These changes have led to new challenges that advisors must contend with.

Changes in financial regulations

Regulatory changes mean changes in compliance. Financial advisors must keep up with these changes in order to understand how they will impact their client's investments. There are also new opportunities that may arise from such changes. In 2018 the US adopted radical new tax reforms. Opportunity zone investments were a new segment introduced by the reforms. They present significant tax advantages for investors looking to defer or avoid taxes on their capital gains. You can learn more about opportunity zone investments here. A change in government will lead to more changes in regulations.

Generational wealth transfer

The United States is experiencing the greatest wealth transfer in its history. Over the coming years, baby boomers (those born between the years of 1944 to 1964) will transfer USD 30 trillion to younger generations. After World War II there was a sudden increase in the US population, this generation was referred to as baby boomers. Currently, boomers account for 70% of disposable wealth[1]. As this wealth changes hands, it is difficult to predict where it will end up. According to studies Millenials are reluctant to invest in the stock market. Advisors must prepare for the uncertainty of the future and be agile as the market adapts.

The increased popularity of fintech products

An increasing number of investors are adopting fintech solutions like robo-advisors to guide their savings and investments. Though the adoption of such products in the United States is not as high as in countries like China and India, the numbers are continually increasing. Advisors must compete with these products that are user-friendly and demonstrate to clients why they add more value. A tech-savvy generation that is set to inherit a large amount of wealth will prove to be a significant challenge for investment advisors.

The fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, a growing recession, and a volatile public market, are some of the other challenges that advisors face. Modern advisors must figure out a way to stay competitive in an uncertain financial environment with rapidly changing demographics and expectations.

Opportunities for modern advisors to remain competitive

Download this white paper to learn more about the two opportunities that modern advisors can take advantage of to maintain a competitive edge

1. The adoption of technology solutions
2. Broader inclusion of alternative assets to enhance portfolio diversification

This white paper by WealthForge covers the following topics:

• Adapting to shifting investor expectations
• The pillars of the ria firm technology stack
• Common manual investment shortfalls
• 5 challenges hindering technology adoption
• Closing the gap between investor interest and RIA allocation to real estate
• Investment types primed for automation

Subscribe to Whitepapers.online for regular updates and access to additional resources.

Sources:

1. Nov. 2019, M. Hall, "The Greatest Wealth Transfer In History: What’s Happening And What Are The Implications", Forbe, [available online] available from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/markhall/2019/11/11/the-greatest-wealth-transfer-in-history-whats-happening-and-what-are-the-implications/ [accessed Jul 21]