If you’re worried about robo advisors, then guess what. McKinsey & Co. says you’re getting all bent out of shape over the wrong thing.
Don’t you just hate that?
Now here’s what you should be worried about, according to the McKinsey report: Virtual advisors. They’re more likely to eat your business and spit it right back out.
Vanguard and other RIA custodians are offering financial planning advice via teams of sophisticated advisors operating from central locations. Investors can access them by phone, video and email virtually anytime they like. For example, Vanguard Personal Advisory Services offers investment advice including financial planning for 30 basis points to investors with portfolios of $500,000 or more. Next year individuals with just $100,000 or more will qualify.
“The new model—’virtual advice’—retains the high level of personal service that most consumers value from their financial advisor, but leverages the connective power of digital communication (e.g., videoconferencing, co-browsing) to deliver this service from a distance.”
Michael Kitces, partner, Pinnacle Advisory Group, explains:
…Vanguard has come up with a price point for planning services that is attractive. “It’s low enough for advisors charging 1% to have to explain what they do that is valuable” to warrant the difference of 70 basis points over Vanguard.
So, if you want to worry, go ahead. Stress out over virtual advisors. But the truth is, worrying never helped. Advisors with a broad-based business model and deep client relationships have nothing to fear.
Photo: Nathan Rupert
