| AUM | Launched | Human advice | Cost | Minimum | Interesting feature | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| /assets/graphics src="/wp-content/uploads2017/06/CI110548531.JPG" | Vanguard Personal Advisor Services | $65 billion (as of May 15, 2017) | 2015 | Clients can call into a center for live financial advice, and those with at least $500,000 work with a dedicated adviser. | 0.3% of AUM management fee | $50,000 | Two-decade history of providing advice to individuals. |
| /assets/graphics src="/wp-content/uploads2017/06/CI110549531.JPG" | Schwab Intelligent Portfolios | $15.9 billion(as of March 31, 2017) | 2015 | Customer support 24/7 via phone, email and chat. | None. | $5,000 | Schwab introduced a hybrid service Schwab Intelligent Advisory with a $25,000 minimum that charges a .28% annual advisory fee and includes ongoing access to a planning consultant. |
| /assets/graphics src="/wp-content/uploads2017/06/CI110550531.JPG" | Betterment | $9 billion(as of March 30, 2017) | 2010 | Clients with at least $100,000 in assets can pay a .4% annual fee for an annual call with our team of CFP professionals and licensed experts; those with $250,000 can pay a .5% fee for unlimited email and telephone advice from CFP professionals and licensed experts. | 0.25% of AUM management fee | None | The largest independent digital platform is seeking wealthier clients and may introduce alternative investments to its platform. |
| /assets/graphics src="/wp-content/uploads2017/06/CI110552531.JPG" | Wealthfront | $6.5 billion(as of May 30, 2017) | 2011 | None. | Free for first $10,000, beyond that .25% of AUM annual management fee | $500 ($100,000 for tax optimized direct indexing) | Its has a program to help clients who hold shares in their public company employers to sell that stock tax-efficiently and commission free. |
| /assets/graphics src="/wp-content/uploads2017/06/CI110553531.JPG" | Personal Capital | $4.3 billion(as of May 2017) | 2011 | Since 2011 its digital offering has included human adviser help by phone, web conference, chat or email. | 0.89% annual advisory fee for first $1 million in assets (fee decreases as assets increase) | $100,000 | Firm's retirement planner shows users if they are in good shape for retirement based on data from their linked accounts and considerations such as if they are having a baby or putting kids through college. |
Chicago-based Mesirow Fiduciary Solutions adds flexPATH's plan-level outsourced fiduciary book, boosting its retirement market reach to $164 billion.
Also, Raymond James's employee advisor channel adds breakaways from Wells Fargo and Stifel, while UBS welcomes an ex-Morgan Stanley duo in Indiana.
It promised guaranteed principal and 10% monthly returns. The SEC says it invested nothing.
Ten years after entering the fee-based annuity market, MassMutual Ascend says nearly half its lifetime sales came in the past two years alone – but barriers remain among fee-only advisors.
Amplify, WealthReach, Zeplyn and Zocks have unveiled partnerships aimed at automating portfolio management, content creation, account opening, and client communication.
Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains
Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income
