In 2015, let's effectively mobilize FAs & their clients to ensure valuable advice for 40M households, Jim Rosenthal @MorganStanley #SIFMA
— Gary Liu (@garycliu) November 10, 2014
“His appointment shows the importance of digital strategy despite the fact they are first and foremost a financial firm,” said Alois Pirker, an analyst with Aite Group. “His focus on the digital side shows how serious they take that side.”
Morgan Stanley spokesman James Wiggins said the firm has made technological advancements, including mobile apps for Apple and Android devices that allow clients to get into their accounts, make deposits and move money. Technology for advisers is constantly being updated too, he said.
Still, Mr. Wiggins declined to comment on the digital offering Mr. Rosenthal is heading.
If it is a robo, Mr. Pirker said, Morgan Stanley has two options for such a platform: to go for the mass affluent, like fellow financial firms Charles Schwab & Co. and Vanguard have done with their robos, Schwab Intelligent Portfolios and Vanguard Personal Advisor Services, respectively; or, because of Morgan Stanley's background with high-net-worth clients, to simply offer a tool for advisers to work with such clients.
Michael Wong, an equity analyst from Morningstar who covers Morgan Stanley, says the firm is positioned well, just like Schwab and Vanguard were when they first launched their robos. There is an inherent customer base at asset management firms.
“Morgan Stanley has those components,” Mr. Wong said. “If they were to make a digital offering, there is a handful of people to make possible a viable business model.”
Other firms, including Bank of America Merrill Lynch, LPL and Wells Fargo, are also currently working on digital platforms. Mr. Wong said some firms may be slow to adopt to this technology because of internal channel conflicts.
“Any kind of wealth management firm introducing other offerings could potentially siphon assets off,” he said, adding that those assets would still stay within the firm.
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