On Tuesday, independent advisors with an Android smartphone can start using a Fidelity app for viewing their client accounts on WeatlhCentral. The app is currently available for download to RIA's with access to the Fidelity WealthCentral platform. It is listed as "WealthCentral Mobile" in the Android Market.
Fidelity is the first major custodian to make a native Android application available to its clients on the Android Market. The release of the Android app comes hot on the heels of the WealthCentral iPhone app, which Fidelity launched in February.
"The iPhone was the most requested app, so we released that first", says Edward O'Brien, Fidelity's senior vice president, technology product management. "So far, the download numbers and the usage numbers have been very good." An Android phone app was the second most requested mobility app, prompting that new release. O'Brien indicated an iPad app will be released shortly, but did not provide a release date.
In designing mobility apps, Fidelity has strived for consistency. Both the iPhone and Android apps are very similar in the way they operate, and both have very similar functionality. "We've leveraged research by the FCAT (Fidelity Center for Applied Technology) team and best practices across the Fidelity enterprise to deliver quality mobility solutions to RIA firms", said O'Brien.
The WealthCentral app allows advisors to access client profiles, account balances and holdings. Advisors can also check positions and balances, receive alerts, view news and quotes, and view transaction activity. In addition, it allows advisors to access data that flows through third party providers such as Advent and Black Diamond.
For further information, go to the Android Market or click on: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.fmr.eca.android.wealthcentral
--Joel Bruckenstein