Real AI at work for advisers

Real AI at work for advisers
Three firms where artificial intelligence is helping with financial planning
JAN 17, 2020

While there is still a lot of smoke and mirrors and empty hype in the artificial intelligence marketplace, there is some real functionality coming to advisers from several providers.

Here are three examples of AI technology in production today.

Micronotes
Combining AI with survey technology, Micronotes takes consumer data at banks and identifies patterns to send targeted questionnaires, including queries such as “Are you thinking of buying a house over the next six months?”

Using targeted questions, the surveys get much higher response rates than traditional marketing efforts, and leads are automatically pushed toward the relevant salesperson, or financial adviser in the bank’s wealth management division. The software could work in brokerages and RIAs as well as banks, according to Mark Casady, founder of Vestigo Ventures, an investor in Micronotes.

Envestnet
Using data aggregation and analytics from its purchases of Yodlee and Wheelhouse Analytics, Envestnet has an application for financial institutions it calls AI FinCheck. As part of its FinApps suite of financial wellness apps, the digital assistant measures and monitors consumers’ financial picture across spending, saving, borrowing, investing and financial planning.

The tool will recommend personalized actions that the consumer can take to improve or automate aspects of their financial life. Advisers can provide AI FinCheck to clients to deepen relationships.

Salesforce
Launched in 2016, Salesforce's Einstein was one of the first customer relationship management technologies to feature an AI component. The technology gathers client data from the CRM and combines predictive analytics, natural language processing and machine learning to search for new opportunities, such as, which clients might be open to a new product or most likely to leave the adviser.

Einstein can help advisers understand how clients feel using sentiment analysis of client communications. The technology also connects to digital assistants from Google, Apple and Amazon to give advisers voice command functionality.

Latest News

Trump not planning to fire Powell, market tension eases
Trump not planning to fire Powell, market tension eases

Futures indicate stocks will build on Tuesday's rally.

From stocks and economy to their own finances, consumers are getting gloomier
From stocks and economy to their own finances, consumers are getting gloomier

Cost of living still tops concerns about negative impacts on personal finances

Women share investing strengths, asset preferences in new study
Women share investing strengths, asset preferences in new study

Financial advisors remain vital allies even as DIY investing grows

Trump vows to 'be nice' to China, slash tariffs
Trump vows to 'be nice' to China, slash tariffs

A trade deal would mean significant cut in tariffs but 'it wont be zero'.

Fed's Kugler warns of worse-than-expected impact of tariffs
Fed's Kugler warns of worse-than-expected impact of tariffs

Inflation, economic risk is greater than previously thought.

SPONSORED Compliance in real time: Technology's expanding role in RIA oversight

RIAs face rising regulatory pressure in 2025. Forward-looking firms are responding with embedded technology, not more paperwork.

SPONSORED Advisory firms confront crossroads amid historic wealth transfer

As inheritances are set to reshape client portfolios and next-gen heirs demand digital-first experiences, firms are retooling their wealth tech stacks and succession models in real time.