Alert capabilities are extensive. The ING "Good Morning Alerts" can inform advisors of new accounts opened, deposits, withdrawals, life insurance premiums that have not been paid and much more. Armed with this data, advisors can be proactive in their dealings with their clients.
Through partners MoneyGuidePro and Albridge, client-facing access is available to the end client.
What Next?
Independent broker-dealers are competing on the technology front as never before, and the competition shows no signs of letting up. Although IBDs still can be differentiated to some extent by product, today there is much more of an emphasis on technology, intellectual capital and practice management tools.
One thing all of the firms we spoke to seem to agree upon is that advances in technology and workflows can lead to greater growth and greater profitability. All are trying to lift the technology burden and remove inefficiencies so that advisors can be more productive and better serve their clients. If they are right, independent B-Ds, advisors and their clients should all benefit from the improvements that these firms have made.