More Than Half of Plan Advisers Expect to Use AI

Adviser practices using artificial intelligence may become a reality in the next 12 months, according to BlackRock surveying.

Artificial intelligence use may move from idea to reality in the next 12 months in plan advisement, with more than half (53%) of advisers planning to implement AI in some fashion, according to BlackRock Inc.’s “2024 Read on Retirement: Advisor Outlook,” released Tuesday.

If those predictions come true, it will be a significant jump from the 9% of advisers that report currently using AI tools in their practices.

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“We see this taking place in the near future for advisers in a few specific areas,” says Carrie Schroen, head of BlackRock’s U.S. defined contribution intermediary business.

One area is using AI tools to “minimize everyday inefficiencies,” Schroen says. That could be using AI to help complete client requests for proposal, to analyze fee disclosure documents or to run in the background of customer relationship management systems and generate meeting agendas or create prompts for follow-up.

Schroen, who leads BlackRock’s DC adviser practice management program, says AI tools may also be used in advisers’ work with plan sponsor clients and participants. AI tools can help personalize communication across a client base or to identify specific needs and risks that could prompt participant outreach.

Finally, she sees it being used with service providers such as recordkeepers and third-party administrators. AI, for instance, may support identifying cybersecurity threats across platforms or finding improvements in plan design.

BlackRock’s survey, which drew on responses from 300 retirement plan advisers, also found a surge in interest from advisers in retirement income options and a focus on having active investment management be part of the investment strategy for plan sponsor clients.

Retirement Income

According to the survey, 81% of retirement plan advisers have discussed retirement income options with DC clients; another 82% either have recommended a retirement income solution or are likely to recommend one in the next 12 months.

“Part of what is driving this interest and acceleration of demand is that people are living longer, and we’ve lost that security that a pension once provided,” Schroen says. “The first generation of Baby Boomers retiring this year is doing so without that safety net that our parents’ generation had.”

She notes BlackRock’s recently launched DC guaranteed income product, LifePath Paycheck, as proof that such solutions are getting traction, noting that plans with $27 billion in target date assets are making the option available to 500,000 participants. Meanwhile, she says 60% of plan advisers say plan sponsor clients lean on them for communicating with and educating participants on retirement income issues.

“No one wants to solve this problem [of retirement income] more than advisers,” she says. “They are the ones who are hearing about it from plan sponsors and participants about just how concerned they are about their retirement futures.”

Active Focus

The survey also asked advisers about their use of active and passive investments in DC plans. More than half (55%) of plan advisers see active managers as consistently outperforming the market due to: their access to more investment options (59%), protect against losses (47%) and investment sector choices (44%).

While BlackRock is often associated with index-based passive investing, Schroen points to its blended LifePath Dynamic Funds as using both active and passive strategies, something advisers are seeking particularly as markets have grown more volatile in 2024.

“They see the benefits of diversification, manager experience and, lastly, that fee-efficient alpha,” she says.

Finally, the survey also showed that about 55% of plan advisers differentiate their practices by the education they provide on areas such as retirement readiness.

Schroen, who has been meeting with advisers around the country since taking her new position earlier this year, says the findings reflect what she has been hearing about practice management areas of interest.

“Our survey results here affirm … the top priorities for advisers: practice growth and prospecting new clients,” she says. “Our program aims to make their business management more efficient … specifically around client service and their business.”

Advisory M&A News – 9/16/24

Savvy adds financial advisers Martino and Moore; Ty J. Young Wealth Management acquires Amatulli and Associates Financial Services; Carson Group partners with YCharts in enterprise agreement; $2 billion Connecticut team creates Centel Wealth Advisory; and more.

Savvy Adds Financial Advisers Martino and Moore

Savvy Advisors Inc., a registered investment adviser affiliated with Savvy Wealth Inc., announced the hiring of Drew Martino and Daniel Moore, both financial advisers.

Martino joins Savvy from Corebridge Financial, where he specialized in retirement planning with a focus on 403(b) plan guidance for individuals employed by schools, hospitals, municipalities, government entities and other tax-exempt organizations. With more than 20 years of experience, the Los Angeles-based Martino is experienced in helping clients navigate tax-advantaged retirement savings plans. He has held positions at Morgan Stanley, Bank of America and other independent wealth managers.

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Moore joins Savvy from TIAA, where he managed approximately $800 million in client assets. Based in the Chicago area, Moore brings retirement planning experience from similar roles at Fidelity Investments, PNC and AXA Advisors. He specializes in serving higher education professionals and physicians, helping them optimize their after-tax returns and create personalized estate planning documents, in addition to traditional financial planning and investment management.

“With the recent close of our Series A funding and our continued success recruiting advisors that serve high-net-worth individuals and families, Savvy is at a transformative stage,” Ritik Malhotra, founder and CEO of Savvy Wealth, said in a statement. “I’m positive that both Drew and Daniel will make significant contributions by bringing fresh perspectives, honest feedback and the highest level of client care to Savvy.”

Ty J. Young Wealth Management Acquires Amatulli and Associates Financial Services

Ty J. Young Inc. Wealth Management has acquired Amatulli and Associates Financial Services. The acquisition of the St. John, Indiana-based firm expands Ty J. Young Wealth Management’s growing footprint in the Midwest.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to serve the clients of Amatulli and Associates Financial Services,” CEO Ty Young said in a statement. “We’re also thrilled to welcome their experienced staff to the Ty J. Young Wealth Management team.”

The transaction, which closed in July, will provide Amatulli clients access to Ty J. Young Wealth Management’s customer service and personalized services.

The acquisition is Ty J. Young Wealth Management’s 38th in the last six years, as the firm’s nationwide reach continues to rapidly grow.

Carson Group Partners with YCharts in Enterprise Agreement

Carson Group Inc., a financial services firm, and YCharts Inc., an investment research and proposal generation platform, announced a partnership that will provide Carson Group advisers with full access to YCharts’ suite of tools and analytics.

Enterprise-wide access to YCharts will be rolled out immediately, and Carson Group advisers will be onboarded to the platform in the coming weeks. This partnership is designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Carson Group’s investment research, portfolio analysis and model delivery processes across teams.

The new solution will streamline model delivery by keeping advisers updated on Carson’s strategies and simplifying proposal creation. It reduces time spent on decisionmaking and portfolio construction. By standardizing workflows and talking points, it ensures uniformity and scalability across teams. Additionally, the solution provides customizable reports and proposals, allowing advisors to generate reports from more than 30 templates.

“We are thrilled to partner with YCharts to provide our advisor network with the best investment research and proposal tools available,” Dani Fava, chief strategy officer at Carson Group, said in a statement.

$2B Connecticut Team Creates Centel Wealth Advisory

Centel Wealth Advisory announced its launch as an independent advisory firm headquartered in North Haven, Connecticut.

The firm is led by Founders and Managing Partners Stephen Fordyce and Robert Bowman, along with Founder and Managing Director Sam DeGennaro. The three founders previously worked together at Snowden Lane Partners, where they managed $2.2 billion in private and institutional assets.

“We created Centel Wealth Advisory to maintain our independence while allowing us the flexibility to add comprehensive services and solutions, advanced tools and technologies, and world-class partners and resources to enhance our business model,” Fordyce said in a statement.

Centel serves as a trusted adviser to both private and institutional clients. For individuals and families, Centel delivers tailored financial planning, customized portfolios and multi-generational wealth protection to help clients enjoy life today and shape a legacy for future generations. For foundations, endowments and corporations, the firm focuses on strategic and institutional solutions to fit specific needs and achieve specific goals.

Wealthspire Advisors Evolves Client Experience to Provide High-Touch Lifestyle Services

Wealthspire Holdings LLC, parent company of Wealthspire Advisors LLC, an NFP company and an independent registered investment adviser, announced the acquisition of Judith Heft & Associates, a women-owned firm that provides high-touch lifestyle and bill pay services to affluent clients and their families.

“Our clients’ expectations are evolving, and we want to expand our offering beyond traditional wealth management,” Mike LaMena, CEO of Wealthspire Advisors, said in a statement. “Wealthspire is committed to providing holistic and personalized services to our clients across the wealth spectrum. Judy and her team of professionals will go beyond bill pay services to streamline clients’ lifestyle needs.”

Through the firm’s bill pay and lifestyle services, clients and their families are better positioned to achieve their personal goals, according to Wealthspire.

“My team and I are excited to join Wealthspire. We share a common philosophy around client engagement—our mission is to develop personal and trusted relationships to help them achieve their life goals,” Heft said in a statement. “We’re looking forward to being part of the integrated Wealthspire team that helps solve the complexities of our clients’ financial lives.”

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