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How technology is reshaping the advice business

Artificial intelligence, Amazon and robo-advisers are some of the topics on the minds of tech experts.

Two days of​ high-level talks with fintech experts, advisers, broker-dealers and custodians answered an important question for anyone looking for the perfect technology stack. It isn’t out there.

Perhaps most important is for firms to create an office culture that’s amenable to change, which is always a factor when implementing tech.

There’s also a message for chief technology officers — or whoever takes on that role at your firm: Sometimes the value of a solution that’s easy to use is greater than an investment in the “shiniest” tool.

(Watch: The highlights of the 2018 FinTech Think Tank)

InvestmentNews Think Tank Participants
May 22-23
Fintech firms
Bob Conchiglia, VP, advisory sales, SS&C Advent
Linda Ding, director, strategic marketing, Laserfiche
Lori Hardwick, co-founder and president, A.I. Labs
Stephen Langlois, head, business development, eMoney Advisor
Jessica Liberi, VP, product management, eMoney Advisor
David Mehlhorn, director, sales, Redtail Technology
Stacy Orff-Whitfield, senior director, marketing, SS&C Advent

Registered investment advisers
Andrew Altfest, managing director, Altfest Personal Wealth Management
David Edwards, president, Heron Wealth
Paul Ewing, president, Prosperity Advisory Group
Gabe Muller, chief operating officer, Glassman Wealth Services
Ed Obuchowski, chief technology officer, Advisor Group
Loren Pierson, chief operating officer, Mercer Advisors
Ryan Payne, president, Payne Capital Management
Matthew Regan, chief operating officer, Westcott Financial Advisory Group
Min Zhang, head, digital products, United Capital

Custodians and clearing firms
Britton Lombardi, chief of staff, Apex Clearing
Tom McCarthy, senior VP, head, platform technology, Fidelity Investments
Patrick Yip, director, advisory market technology strategy, BNY Mellon’s Pershing
Dani Fava, director, product strategy and development, TD Ameritrade Institutional
Andrew Salesky, senior VP, digital advisor solutions, Charles Schwab & Co.

Broker-dealers
Michael Ragunas, chief information officer, Cetera Financial Group
Kol Chu Birke, managing principal, corporate strategy, Commonwealth Financial Network
Marc Brasher, head, technology, HD Vest Financial Services
Nick Graham, chief technology officer, Cambridge Investment Research

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