Share

cover art for Act Analytics with Zachary Dan | E156

Fintech Impact

Act Analytics with Zachary Dan | E156

Ep. 156
•

In this 156th episode of Fintech Impact, Jason Pereira, award-winning financial planner, university lecturer, writer, and host interviews Zachary Dan, CoFounder and CTO of Act Analytics, a platform that helps financial advisors make better decisions around environmental, social, and governmental factors!


Episode Highlights:

  •  0:41 – Zachary Dan introduces Act Analytics.
  • 1:04 – What led Zachary to create Act Analytics.
  • 2:14 – Jason discusses the issues that exist in the ESG area.
  • 4:12 – How does Zachary score industries with ESG factors?
  • 8:09 – Zachary discusses the challenges presented by a high–level of customization in regard to customer experience.
  • 9:12 – What does the user experience look like from start to finish?
  • 11:14 – How often is the data updated?
  • 11:38 – Zachary dives into the sources of data that Act Analytics utilizes.
  • 14:01 – What has the feedback been like from Act Analytics’s earliest users?
  • 16:00 – Zachary shares his thoughts on future innovations for the platform.
  • 17:49 – If Zachary could change one thing about his industry, what would it be?
  • 19:17 – What has been the biggest challenge for Act Analytics during its growth?
  • 22:46 – Zachary explains what excites him about natural language processing.


3 Key Points

  1. Zachary saw that neither the data nor the ratings were constructed in a way that served most people, so he created a tool that utilizes both in a way that translates to the end-user.
  2. At the moment, Act Analytics has about 20 paying clients with most logging on every day and utilizing the news–analytics feature of the platform.
  3. Zachary hopes to see the commoditization of ESG and financial data, making it widely available for everyone to choose how to use that information for themselves.


Tweetable Quotes:

  • “If companies in all sectors are being pressured to change over time and everyone’s doing this, that’s one way to change the world.” – Zachary Dan
  • “I think one of the mistakes of what’s out there is this idea that you can become the standard scoring methodology for ESG because...it’s different for everybody.” – Zachary Dan
  • “There’s lots of opportunities to include more built–out portfolio construction and AI that helps people build portfolios using both ESG and financial considerations.” – Zachary Dan
  • “You can’t fully fit on a spreadsheet about just how ethical a company is but you have to figure out how to measure that in real-time.” – Jason Pereira
  • “If someone doesn’t have a belief in something, why are you forcing it on them?” – Jason Pereira

 

Resources Mentioned:

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 407. Solutions by Text with Nick Babinsky | E407

    35:03||Ep. 407
    In this episode of FinTech Impact, host Jason Pereira interviews Nick Babinsky, Chief Product Officer at Solutions by Text (SBT). They discuss how SBT empowers financial services companies to engage with consumers through SMS and other messaging protocols. The conversation covers SBT's history, the benefits of text-based communications, regulatory challenges, and the future of text messaging in the financial industry. Nick shares insights on high engagement metrics, compliance complexities, and the evolving technology landscape. Tune in to learn how text messaging is transforming consumer interactions in the financial sector.

  • 406. Hakkoda with Anand Pandya | E406

    32:30||Ep. 406
    Join host Jason Pereira on 'FinTech Impact' as he discusses the foundational elements of AI, specifically data, with Anand Pandya, head of Financial Services for Hakkoda, an IBM company. In this episode, they dive deep into the evolution of data management, the challenges organizations face in maintaining high-quality data, and the importance of clean data for successful AI implementation. Learn about the history of data waves, the pivotal role of cloud platforms like Snowflake, and how big companies can avoid common pitfalls in the AI landscape. Don't miss this insightful conversation packed with expert insights and practical advice for the future of data in financial services.

  • 405. Knapsack with Mark Heynen | E405

    39:27||Ep. 405
    In this episode of FinTech Impact, host Jason Pereira interviews Mark Heynen, co-founder of Knapsack, an AI-powered platform designed to enhance financial advisory workflows. Mark shares insights on how Knapsack automates administrative tasks by integrating with various data sources and employing natural language agents. He discusses the platform's evolution from a private note-taking tool to a comprehensive agent-based system, capable of handling everything from simple email scheduling to complex tax planning. Mark also touches on the challenges faced in data compliance and the future of AI in financial services. Don't miss this deep dive into how AI is transforming the financial advisory landscape.

  • 404. Flextract with Rajesh Jayaraman | E404

    22:17||Ep. 404
    In this episode of FinTech Impact, host Jason Pereira interviews Rajesh Jayaraman, founder and CEO of Flextract. Flextract is an innovative onboarding tool designed to help financial advisors streamline the client onboarding process by leveraging AI-powered data extraction. Rajesh discusses the origins of the company, the technology behind their product, and how it enhances both advisor efficiency and client experience. They delve into the challenges of managing disparate client data and the future roadmap for Flextract, including dynamic checklists and advanced report generation. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of financial technology and client management.

  • 403. ElektraFi with Antonio Zivanovic | E403

    30:38||Ep. 403
    In today's episode of FinTech Impact, Jason interviews Antonio Zivanovic, the Founder and CEO of ElektraFi - an online platform that democratizes access to independent financial guidance for employees. Antonio shares the origin story of ElektraFi, its mission to provide cohesive financial insights and advice, and the innovative ways it supports individuals in managing their finances. Listen in as they discuss the importance of financial well-being, AI integration, and future plans for the platform. Ideal for business owners and employers interested in enhancing employee financial health.

  • 402. FinMate AI with Daniel Yoo | E402

    23:59||Ep. 402
    In this episode of FinTech Impact, host Jason Pereira interviews Daniel Yoo, the founder of FinMate AI, an AI-driven advisor meeting notation software. Daniel explains the origins of FinMate AI, stemming from his frustrations as a financial advisor with the note-taking process. He delves into the various challenges the company has faced, the hyper-competitive market, and how they plan to differentiate themselves by providing a custom, service-oriented approach rather than a purely scalable software solution. Daniel also shares his insights on the evolving landscape of AI in financial services and emphasizes the importance of realistic, honest conversations within the industry. Tune in to learn more about the future of AI in financial advising and how FinMate AI aims to stand out in a crowded field.

  • 401. KayOs with David Weinstein | E401

    30:46||Ep. 401
    In this episode of FinTech Impact, host Jason Pereira talks with David Weinstein, CEO, and co-founder of KayOs, a company helping businesses become AI-native by structuring their data and operations. David shares how KayOs organizes both structured and unstructured data into contextual graphs to enhance AI and agent capabilities within organizations. They discuss the origins of KayOs, the challenges businesses face with data management, and the various tools and models used to make data actionable. The conversation also delves into the future of AI, its ethical implications, and how companies can adopt AI technologies without losing the human touch. Tune in to learn about the innovative approaches KayOs employs to turn business data chaos into order.

  • 400. Episode 400 with Julia Carreon | E400

    39:18||Ep. 400
    In this milestone episode of FinTech Impact, Jason Pereira celebrates the 400th episode with special guest Julia Carreon. Julia, a respected executive with over 25 years of experience in financial services, discusses her impressive career and her stance on digital transformation within the industry. She highlights her notable achievements, including leading digital initiatives at Wells Fargo and Citibank. The discussion delves into the challenges of implementing AI and innovative technologies in traditional banking systems, the importance of execution, and the complexities of integrating new technologies in an industry hampered by outdated systems and organizational bureaucracy. Julia also shares her views on the pitfalls of the robo-advisor hype and the importance of proper onboarding processes. This episode offers a candid, in-depth look at what it takes to drive real change in financial services.

  • 399. Influence Snapshot with Matt Halloran | E399

    28:57||Ep. 399
    In this episode of FinTech Impact, host Jason Pereira welcomes Matthew Halloran, co-founder of ProudMouth. ProudMouth has become a leading podcast platform for financial advisors, helping them develop and broadcast their voices. They recently introduced Influence Snapshot, a tool designed to identify marketing gaps and boost an advisor's influence. Matt and Jason delve into the importance of niche marketing, detailed content strategies, and the impact of consistent branding. They also explore how Influence Snapshot can provide key insights into areas such as audience targeting, brand credibility, and content synergy. Join them for an informative conversation on enhancing advisory practices through effective content marketing.