Tag: Wealth Tech

The WealthStack Podcast: Unpacking The State of CRM with Doug Fritz

The WealthStack Podcast: Unpacking The State of CRM with Doug Fritz

Proactive client engagement through technology has become paramount, which means the role of the CRM has evolved. In an increasingly uncertain economic environment, advisors must future-proof their business models to scale operations and expand their reach. A key area to revisit is their CRM system, which has become crucial for delivering personalized services and enhancing client engagement. 

In this episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with  Doug Fritz, CEO and founder of F2 Strategy, about the current state and future of CRM systems in the wealth management industry. 

Shannon and Doug discuss:

  • The shift from traditional CRM systems to more integrated, automated solutions
  • Key frustrations and wish list items for wealth management firms using CRM systems
  • Differences in how firms view CRMs as either operational tools or client engagement tools
  • The role of CRM maturity and workflow customization in increasing satisfaction

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

Connect with Doug Fritz:

About Our Guest:

Doug Fritz is the co-founder and CEO of F2 Strategy. Doug, a veteran CTO and sought-after WealthTech consultant leads an all-star team of executives in technology-driven operations, digital client engagement, performance, and implementation, among many other areas for clients. Through F2’s Outsourced CTO (OCTO) model and strategy consulting services, Doug is passionate about helping firms of all sizes deliver exceptional client and advisor experiences.

The WealthStack Podcast: Why Direct Indexing is The Future of Investing with Patrick Shaddow

The WealthStack Podcast: Why Direct Indexing is The Future of Investing with Patrick Shaddow

When it comes to direct indexing, adoption and understanding has historically lagged because the tools were not readily available to advisors, and/or they were not intuitive to use. The evolution of direct indexing is not just a trend but a fundamental shift in the investment management industry, driven by technological innovation and the changing needs of investors. It offers financial advisors a way to differentiate themselves by providing unique, personalized portfolio constructions that cannot be easily replicated by competitors.

In this special episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Patrick Shaddow, President & CEO of Syntax Data, about why direct indexing is set to transform the investment landscape.

Shannon and Patrick also discuss:

  • The benefit for advisors to create their own indices
  • Why the industry is at a tipping point with direct indexing and the technology behind it
  • How Syntax helps advisors and their clients navigate the complexities of ESG investing
  • What’s up with Texas?

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

Connect with Patrick Shaddow

About Our Guest:

Patrick Shaddow has been engaged in all aspects of indexation for over 15 years. He has worked directly with a wide range of financial institutions on index development, index production, data acquisition and dissemination, business development, and index marketing and promotion.

Patrick joined Syntax in September 2021 as President with a mandate to organize the company’s internal structure, scale up its operational resources, and commercialize its unique intellectual property. As President, Patrick initiated data sales and licensing processes with a wide range of financial intermediaries, providing clear “proof of concept” for roll-out plans.

Prior to joining Syntax, Patrick served as Head of Index Operations at S-Network Global Indexes, where he led a team of 20 professionals. At S-Net, Patrick oversaw the development and daily production of over 350 indexes, including approximately 100 indexes licensed to serve as the basis for financial products holding over $30 billion in assets under management. Patrick also oversaw the development of S-Net’s index production and distribution platform and the technology infrastructure that supported it. He negotiated and managed the company’s data licenses and entitlements, working closely with a range of providers including Refinitiv, Bloomberg, FactSet, the NYSE, and others. Patrick participated in the 100% equity sale of S-Net to a private equity company in 2020 and was a member of the management team of Alerian/S-Network until July of 2021.

Prior to joining S-Network, Patrick worked as an index analyst at Dow Jones Indexes. He is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Business with a concentration in management information systems. Patrick is married with three children.

The WealthStack Podcast: Unlocking AI and Data Strategies: CTO Think Tank Insights with Michelle Feinstein

The WealthStack Podcast: Unlocking AI and Data Strategies: CTO Think Tank Insights with Michelle Feinstein

When you’re a technology leader at a $1B+ wealth management firm, there’s a lot that can keep you up at night. Technology issues are evolving, but fortunately, so are solutions. When it comes to the role of the CTO, technical and analytical skills are only part of the job. It might be the case that no skill is as important as agility: the ability to assess the needs of your organization at a particular moment, and to change your tools and tactics over time to satisfy advisors and their clients.

In this special episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Michelle Feinstein GM/VP Global Financial Services Solutions & Strategy Salesforce, about the findings from the 2024 CTO Think Tank that was hosted at Wealth Management EDGE.

Shannon and Michelle also discuss:

  • The importance of a data governance strategy
  • Where firms are leveraging AI and unlocking the power of data
  • Operational efficiency of client portals
  • Why firms are prioritizing middle office scalability and productivity tools

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

Connect with Michelle Feinstein:

About Our Guest:

Michelle Feinstein is general manager and vice president, Global Wealth & Asset Management Solutions & Strategy for Salesforce Industries. Her expertise is in digital transformation for wealth management. This process of digitization is complex, it requires firms to accelerate plans to harness data, digitize advisor-client experiences, and modernize service to scale and support growth.

The WealthStack Podcast: Financial Fitness: Strengthening Futures with Healthcare Planning

The WealthStack Podcast: Financial Fitness: Strengthening Futures with Healthcare Planning

It’s no secret that the healthcare and financial services industries are incredibly complicated and often don’t easily talk to one another. In fact, medical bills are reported to be the number-one cause of U.S. bankruptcies. Healthcare costs represent a significant portion of an individual’s or family’s financial landscape, especially as they age. Ignoring this critical component can lead to unforeseen financial burdens, which may disrupt even the most meticulously crafted financial plans. By proactively addressing healthcare costs, advisors can help clients better anticipate and manage these expenses, thereby ensuring a more secure and predictable financial future.

In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Christine Simone, CEO of Caribou, about why healthcare planning can differentiate financial advisors in a competitive market.

Shannon and Christine also discuss:

  • Common challenges when it comes to healthcare planning
  • Tangible benefits for advisors and their clients 
  • How integration of healthcare planning enhances the personalization of financial advice
  • How AI is changing the healthcare industry 

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

Connect with Christine Simone:

About Our Guest:

Christine co-founded Caribou in 2020, where she serves as the CEO and plays a central role in developing and offering their healthcare planning software. Prior to that, she worked at CoHealth (formerly Dash MD) from 2019 to 2020 as the Manager of Client Success and Implementation. At CoHealth, she oversaw the successful implementation of their mobile platform within healthcare systems and acted as a liaison for communication with partners. From 2017 to 2019, Christine worked at eSight Eyewear as a Special Project Coordinator and Vision Advocate, where she was responsible for growing the business in a designated territory and evaluating client eye conditions. Christine’s earlier work experience includes a role as a Researcher at Vancouver Coastal Health, where she gained valuable skills and knowledge in behavioral neuroscience and conducted research on potential novel therapeutics.

Christine holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Biology from The University of British Columbia.