Wealth management firms are under pressure to deliver more—faster, smarter, and with greater precision. The conversations we’re hearing aren’t about what might happen in the future, but rather about what needs to happen now.
Earlier this year, we published 5 Leading Digital Trends Shaping Wealth Management in 2025, outlining the macro shifts redefining the industry. After an energizing few days at BNY INSITE25, those trends came into sharper focus and we saw firsthand how firms are beginning to operationalize these shifts—translating insight into action.
Following the event, we sat down with Ken Fishman and John Galifi to reflect on the conversations, insights, and key themes that emerged. The dialogue offered a clear view into where the wealth and asset management industry is headed and how firms are beginning to act on the trends shaping 2025.
Key Challenges and Opportunities in Digital Wealth Management
While the trends are clear, the path to execution is complex. At BNY INSITE25, several strategic themes emerged that reflect how firms are navigating this complexity. From democratizing access to alternatives to building AI-enabled workflows, these themes reveal where the industry is placing its bets—and how firms are aligning people, processes, and platforms to deliver on the promise of digital transformation.
The focus is shifting toward scalable strategies that drive growth, enhance personalization, and strengthen operational resilience by turning vision into measurable outcomes.
1. Democratizing Access to Alternatives
Platforms like Wove and iCapital are transforming how advisors access and deliver alternative investments. These tools are helping to enable greater portfolio personalization and open new distribution channels for asset managers. But with this innovation comes complexity, particularly around data aggregation, governance, and reporting.
As Ken and John noted, the firms that succeed will be those that can scale personalization without sacrificing operational integrity.
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2. AI Adoption with Purpose
The AI conversation has matured. It’s no longer about experimentation, it’s about enablement. From automating marketing tear sheets to navigating regulatory complexity, firms are embedding AI into workflows to drive productivity while keeping humans in the loop.
Zico Kolter’s keynote speech emphasized the importance of intentionality in AI adoption. The focus now is on scaling with purpose—ensuring AI enhances the advisor experience rather than complicating it.
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3. Strategic Tech Stack Decisions
WealthTech innovation is empowering advisors to focus on what matters most: client relationships. But selecting and implementing the right tech stack is more complex than ever. Firms must align technology with business strategy and execute with precision.
At BNY INSITE25, conversations with leaders underscored the importance of this alignment. Whether it’s data lineage, self-service entitlements, or advisor enablement, the message was clear: technology must serve the business, not the other way around.
Success In Action: At the Heart of Financial Services
Looking Ahead: Advisor Onboarding is a Strategic Imperative
While the mainstage themes dominated the spotlight, one of the most pressing challenges surfaced inside conversations: advisor onboarding.
Unlike client onboarding, which is largely internal and process-driven, advisor onboarding is a multifaceted challenge involving legal, regulatory, and operational complexity. From licensing and credentialing to technology enablement and book of business transitions, the process is often a bottleneck for growth, especially for RIAs and broker-dealers looking to scale.
Firms are actively searching for solutions to this pain point. And for good reason: a poorly executed onboarding process can lead to compliance risks, client attrition, and advisor disengagement.
Success In Action: Speeding Insights and Powering Investment Experiences
Advisor Onboarding Framework: 12 Essentials for Wealth Management Firms
A modern advisor onboarding strategy is critical for scaling growth, ensuring compliance, and delivering a seamless advisor and client experience. As highlighted in our 2025 Wealth Management Trends, Client Advisor Empowerment was our #2 trend, and this framework is a direct reflection of that insight.
Empowered advisors need more than tools; they need a frictionless start.
A well-designed onboarding experience ensures they’re equipped from day one to deliver high-quality, personalized service efficiently and confidently.
Here are the 12 foundational components every firm should consider:
- Talent Strategy Alignment: Tailor onboarding for advisor types—established, career changers, junior analysts, or internal successors.
- Regulatory & Credentialing Compliance: Complete FINRA/SEC background checks, Form U4, and licensing (SIE, Series 7/66) to ensure legal readiness.
- Data & Documentation Collection: Gather IDs, employment history, certifications, NDAs, and client lists to support CRM setup and audit compliance.
- Technology & Platform Enablement: Provision CRM, trading tools, planning software, secure email, and cybersecurity protocols for day-one productivity.
- Book of Business Transition: Manage ACATs, repapering, custodial setup, and client introductions to preserve trust and assets.
- Branch Office Setup (If Applicable): Coordinate leasing, regulatory registration, IT/security installation, and local staffing for geographic expansion.
- Support & Admin Staff Enablement: Train support teams on CRM, compliance workflows, and service protocols to enhance advisor efficiency.
- Training & Cultural Integration: Introduce firm values, DEI principles, investment philosophy, and operational workflows to build long-term engagement.
- Compensation & Incentive Alignment: Define compensation structures, bonuses, and performance metrics to drive advisor motivation and retention.
- Client Communication Strategy: Send welcome kits, advisor bios, FAQs, and transition updates to build trust and reduce client attrition.
- Cross-Functional Coordination: Engage compliance, operations, marketing, and IT teams early; assign onboarding liaisons to streamline execution.
- Performance Milestones & Feedback: Set 30/60/90-day goals, gather feedback, and adjust support to ensure successful advisor integration.
Build Smarter, Scale Faster, and Elevate Your Wealth Strategy
BNY INSITE25 reinforced what we’ve long believed: the future of wealth and asset management is digital, data-driven, and deeply human. It’s about using technology to enhance the advisor-client relationship, and solve the real, often overlooked challenges that stand in the way of growth.
We empower wealth and asset managers with proactive insights, hyper-personalized experiences, and proactive risk management to drive sustainable growth.
- Business Transformation: Develop and optimize strategies and processes for efficient wealth management operations.
- Modernization: Upgrade technology and processes to ensure seamless integration and enhanced, streamlined client advisor experiences.
- Data + Analytics: Harness data-driven insights for personalized investment strategies, client collaboration, and operational efficiency.
- Risk + Compliance: Implement robust strategies to safeguard investor relationships and ensure regulatory adherence.
- Consumer Experience: Enhance engagement and satisfaction with tailored advisory services and digital tools.
Discover why we have been trusted by 16 of the 20 largest wealth management firms. Explore our financial services expertise and contact us to learn more.
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