In 2024, client expectations have evolved with the rise of instant gratification fueled by technology.

Ahead of Wealth Management EDGE, Ritik Malhotra speaks about the instant gratification fueled by technology.

Instant gratification has become a hallmark of our fast-paced digital era, where tasks such as grocery shopping or renting a movie, which once necessitated physical errands, can now be taken care of with the mere click of a button. The advent of smartphones, high-speed internet and on-demand services allow countless people to satisfy their desires and needs almost instantaneously. Further, the adoption of artificial intelligence and the internet of things has skyrocketed across various industries, shaping the present and future of our society, economy and culture. 

Despite this wave of innovation, the financial services industry has all too often lagged behind. Many traditional firms within the industry have been slow to embrace mainstream innovations, hindering their ability to meet evolving consumer demands.

This disparity became starkly evident to me following my own journey into sudden wealth, having launched a business that was eventually acquired and then taken public. In the aftermath of this significant life event, I searched for a financial advisor to help manage my finances and ultimately worked with several in pursuit of a more simplified, streamlined experience.

My Quest for a Modern Financial Advisor

After consulting with numerous professionals, all of whom provided valuable advice and sound investment strategies, I realized they were all missing one crucial element: modern technology to streamline basic tasks, such as client onboarding, day to day client interactions, accurate dashboards for reporting, and more. I was growing increasingly frustrated with the antiquated process of mailing endless documents and manually rebalancing portfolios, as well as the difficulty in staying informed about changing tax codes and their impact on my specific financial situation. As a result, I took it upon myself to become educated on the world of financial advice and explore firms that could offer the modern client experience I desired.

Over a 6-year period, I interacted with over 100 advisors and realized that what I was looking for simply didn’t exist. It became evident that while the wealth management industry was on the brink of significant growth, partly fueled by an enduring bull market and an impending generational wealth transfer estimated at up to $68 trillion, it also stood at a crucial juncture. The industry needed to evolve to meet the expectations of a new generation of financial decision-makers, moving away from fragmented technology, redundant data entry, and manual workflows. It became clear to me that, with the right technological solutions, advisors stood to save time on administrative tasks, focusing instead on revenue-generating activities and improving client satisfaction.

Empowering Advisors with Proprietary Technology

Instead of waiting for an industry with a track record of slow adaptation to play catch up, I set out on my own journey to empower financial advisors to enhance their and their clients’ experience with proprietary technology and automation. I’ve assembled a team of best-in-class technologists and dedicated financial advisors to collaborate seamlessly and to create an all-in-one solution that revolutionizes the way advisors manage, operate and scale their practice.

Our offering features an all-in-one practice management platform developed in-house, advanced automated marketing tools, and a user-friendly client portal, all designed to provide a robust infrastructure that supports business growth while providing flexibility for advisors seeking independence. It also offers efficient portfolio management, access to a wide array of financial products including direct indexing, and comprehensive services like tax, estate planning and more. By equipping advisors with the right technology, we give them the ability to meet their clients’ demands for the instant gratification to which they’ve grown accustomed. 

The Digital Imperative: Adaptation or Obsolescence

The challenge ahead for financial advisors is clear: adapt to the digital era or risk being left behind. Embracing innovative technologies enables them to provide an experience that is seamless, efficient, and tailored to each client's unique needs and expectations. This journey towards digital transformation involves rethinking a stale approach to client engagement and service delivery.

As advisors navigate this transition, the goal should be to leverage technology not as a replacement for the personal touch that is so important in our industry, but as a complement to it. The future of wealth management will belong to those who can blend the best of technology and human insight to meet the evolving needs of their clients.

Ritik Malhotra is co-founder and chief executive officer at Savvy Wealth. Join Ritik Malhotra at Wealth Management EDGE 2024.

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