Fintech Impact

In this episode of Fintech Impact, Jason welcomes Andrew Altfest of FP Alpha, an innovative platform at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and financial planning. Andrew discusses FP Alpha's mission to automate advanced planning for financial advisors, democratizing services previously available only to the wealthiest clients through specialized teams. The platform has evolved to offer a comprehensive suite of tools for advisors, including estate planning, tax scenario comparisons, and integration with other financial tech tools, aiming to make the planning process more efficient and effective. Jason and Andrew delve into the challenges and triumphs of developing and scaling FP Alpha and the broader implications of AI in enhancing the human aspect of financial planning.Episode Highlights:00:09: Introduction to the episode and guest, Andrew Altfest of FP Alpha, discussing the evolution of his platform in the AI space for financial advice.00:43: Andrew expresses his excitement to return to the show and discuss the advancements of FP Alpha since his last appearance.00:51: Andrew details the functionality of FP Alpha, emphasizing automation in advanced planning and the democratization of financial services once available only to the wealthiest.03:19: Andrew reflects on FP Alpha's journey from its concept to the present day, highlighting the addition of numerous first-of-its-kind features and the broadening of its service offering.05:02: Andrew discusses new features like estate snapshots and the platform's integration with various data sources to enhance the planning process.08:06: There's a deep dive into FP Alpha's offerings, including estate lab features, scenario comparisons, and tax planning tools which have been enhanced since 2021.11:32: Andrew articulates the benefits of integrating advanced planning into advisory services, emphasizing business growth, deeper client relationships, and succession planning.Key Takeaways FP Alpha leverages AI to democratize advanced financial planning, allowing advisors to serve high-net-worth clients more efficiently.The platform fills the gap left by traditional financial planning softwares by automating estate, tax, and insurance planning.Continuous innovation and integration with other financial technologies enhance FP Alpha's usability and comprehensiveness, making it a powerful tool for financial advisors.Tweetable Quotes "FP Alpha democratizes advanced financial planning with AI, opening doors to previously specialized services for a broader client base." - Andrew Altfest"With FP Alpha, advisors can now delve deeper into estate, tax, and insurance planning, areas often overlooked by traditional planning softwares." - Andrew Altfest"True innovation in FinTech, like FP Alpha, doesn't just improve existing tools; it creates new possibilities for advisors and their clients." - Andrew AltfestResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPodcast Editinghttps://fpalpha.com/about/https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-altfest-cfp/ 

In this episode of FinTech Impact, host Jason Pereira welcomes back Davyde Wachell, CEO and founder of Responsive AI, a company focused on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance advisor insight and productivity in the financial sector. They discuss the evolution of Responsive AI from its initial concept as a robo-advisory service to its current state offering a next best action ecosystem for financial advisors. The conversation also covers the broader implications of AI in finance, including the challenges of implementing AI solutions effectively and the potential for AI to transform client-advisor interactions for better financial decision making.Episode Highlights00:44: Davyde expresses gratitude for being invited back to the show.00:53: Davyde introduces Responsive AI and its flagship product, Prioritize, emphasizing its focus on advisor productivity and insight.01:34: The discussion dives into the history of Responsive AI, starting from its initial concept to its pivot towards serving advisors.03:39: Explanation of the "next best action" concept and its various implications in financial advising.05:00: Insight into the difficulties of implementing AI effectively within the financial sector and the necessity for streamlined data.07:10: Challenges of integrating complex AI solutions in an industry struggling with disparate and unstandardized data systems.08:17: How Responsive AI seeks to complement and enhance Salesforce implementations with focused AI applications in finance.10:23: Discussion about the real-world impact and efficacy of Responsive AI's solutions in improving business processes and advisor-client interactions.14:19: A critique of the current state of AI hype and the real challenges still facing its application in the financial sector.18:42: Davyde shares his perspective on the future development of AI and its implications for financial services.24:48: A wish for the industry to make faster and more honest decisions regarding technology and client service.Key Takeaways Consolidation and improved decision-making are key for financial services to leverage AI effectively. AI's potential in finance hinges on addressing data quality issues and focusing on enhancing advisor-client relationships.Implementing AI solutions like Responsive AI's can lead to significant improvements in productivity and decision-making for financial advisors.The future success of AI in finance requires a balanced approach that combines technology with human expertise and insight.Tweetable Quotes "AI in finance isn't just about the technology; it's about enabling smarter, faster decisions for advisors and their clients.” - Davyde"Data is the fuel of AI, but without proper refinement and focus, even the most advanced AI can't drive financial services forward.” – Davyde"The best AI implementations work as a centaur model –combining the strengths of human expertise with the power of artificial intelligence.” - DavydeResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPodcast Editinghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/davyde//https://www.responsive.ai/about 

In this episode of Fintech Impact, Jason interviews Brian McLaughlin, President of Orion Advisor Technologies, as he discusses the evolution of Orion and its impact on the FinTech space. Brian shares insights into the challenges of harmonizing technology and teams following acquisitions, and his personal mission to innovate within the industry. He emphasizes the significance of householding in financial planning and the potential of AI to revolutionize the field. Additionally, Brian highlights his aspiration to make financial services accessible to the middle class, underscoring technology's role in reducing delivery costs and improving service.Episode Highlights: 00:09: Introduction of Brian McLaughlin and his role at Orion Advisor Technologies, alongside his significant contributions to the advisor technology industry.00:32: Brian expresses excitement over finally connecting for the podcast episode, humorously acknowledging the previous push and pull.00:36: Discussion on the reciprocal podcast guest appearances between the speakers.00:47: An overview of Orion Advisor Technologies, emphasizing the company's breadth in providing end-to-end technology solutions for advisors.01:37: Mention of Orion’s status as a major player in the technology space for advisors and the episode's focus on technology over the TAM side.02:12: Brian shares his history in the industry, including the origin story of Redtail Technology and its growth over the years.04:53: The pivotal role of creating raving fans as a foundational mantra at Redtail, focusing on delivering exceptional service to both staff and clients.09:39: Discussion around the importance of integration in the software industry and Brian's approach to open collaboration.19:37: Insight into Orion's current focus on AI technologies, including the BFI tools and the transformative potential of AI in the industry.Key Takeaways:The significance of creating a company culture that prioritizes exceptional service can lead to long-term success and market dominance.Integration and collaboration within the FinTech sector are crucial for innovation and providing comprehensive solutions to advisors.Addressing the challenge of defining and harmonizing various aspects of a business, including company culture and technological integration, is key post acquisition.The potential of AI and machine learning to revolutionize the financial services industry, particularly in optimizing operational efficiencies and personalizing client services.Tweetable Quotes:"Creating raving fans is at the heart of our success – focusing on making both staff and clients exceptionally happy." - Brian McLaughlin"Integration is not just about technology; it's about people and companies working together towards a common vision." - Brian McLaughlin"AI has the potential to be a game-changer in financial services, enabling advisors to serve their clients like never before." - Brian McLaughlinResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPodcast Editinghttps://orion.com/thought-leader/brian-mclaughlinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/redtail/ 

In this episode of Fintech Impact, host Jason hosts Tanmai Sharma, the CEO and Founder of Collation.AI. The discussion revolves around how Collation.AI addresses the pervasive issue of data integration challenges within financial services through AI-driven solutions. By focusing on creating a centralized data warehouse and utilizing AI chatbots for workflow operations, Sharma shares insights on enhancing data utility and streamlining services in the sector. Episode Highlight:00:09: Jason introduces the episode and guest Tanmai Sharma, CEO and Founder of Collation.AI. Understanding the company's mission illuminates the episode's focus on solving data integration and workflow challenges in financial services through advanced AI technologies.04:29: Sharma underscores the flexibility and scalability of their solution compared to traditional methods, which often rely on manual data management. This part of the conversation emphasizes the efficiency and accuracy benefits of using AI and bots for data synchronization tasks.08:54: The role of artificial intelligence in enhancing data management and user interaction with Collation.AI's platform is discussed. Sharma elaborates on how AI aids in analyzing unstructured data and simplifying interactions through moderated conversations with a chatbot. 11:11: Discussing the future vision for Collation.AI and the broader Fintech sector, Sharma speculates on the move towards data standardization. This future direction promises to further streamline data handling across platforms, potentially revolutionizing how financial data is managed and utilized. 14:36: Sharma reflects on his professional journey and the evolution of Collation.AI. His insights provide a personal perspective on the challenges and opportunities in leveraging technology to solve complex data issues in the Fintech domain.Key Points:The integration of AI and bot technology in managing financial data can significantly reduce the complexity and enhance the efficiency of data workflows.Collaboration between technology providers and financial professionals is key to addressing the ongoing challenges of data integration, accuracy, and utilization. The journey of adapting advanced technologies in traditional sectors like finance underscores the importance of experience, knowledge, and continuous innovation in solving industry-wide problems.Tweetable Quotes:"It should be a criminal offense to have the data and not use it correctly." - Tanmai Sharma"We're not competing with anyone; our competitor is a human being. Our solution is in a very different zip code." - Tanmai Sharma "Every customer gets a separate data warehouse...it's easier, cheaper, faster, more reliable." - Tanmai SharmaMentioned Resources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPodcast Editinghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tanmai-sharma-9b1777/https://collation.ai/ 

In this episode, Jason Pereira interviews Jim Sinai of Vanilla, an innovative platform changing how advisors and clients engage in estate planning. Vanilla simplifies the estate planning process, making it more accessible and meaningful by integrating technology to facilitate conversations around legacy and wealth distribution. The discussion covers Vanilla's origin, its impact on the advisory industry, and how it enhances client-advisor relationships through strategic estate planning.Episode Highlights:00:10: Jason introduces the episode and guest, Jim Sinai, the Chief Marketing Officer at Vanilla. Vanilla is spotlighted as a pioneering online estate advisory platform, aimed at fostering deeper connections between advisors and clients through estate planning.02:52: Jason reflects on the traditional shortcomings of estate planning in the advisory industry and how Vanilla fills this gap by creating a definitive value proposition for clients.06:28: Jim outlines the typical workflow for clients using Vanilla, illustrating how the platform empowers advisors to offer personalized and impactful estate planning experiences, from initial assessments to executing updated estate plans. 09:38: The destructive potential of poorly organized estates on family harmony is discussed, underscoring the value of thoughtful estate planning facilitated by Vanilla's platform. 11:31: Sinai details the "last mile" of estate planning with Vanilla, explaining how clients come to realize the discrepancies between their current estate plans and their intentions, leading to necessary adjustments or complete overhauls of their documents. 15:05: Jim highlights how Vanilla also serves as a bridge to engage the next generation in estate planning, addressing the common issue of heirs departing from their parents' advisors. 17:24: Jason wraps up the interview by exploring the broader aspirations within the industry and the challenges Vanilla faces in encouraging more advisors to prioritize estate planning in their practice.Key Points:Vanilla is pioneering a shift in estate advisory, focusing on the relationship and conversation between advisor and client rather than just the documents. Effective estate planning can significantly impact family harmony and legacy, addressing concerns beyond simple wealth distribution. The platform engages not only the current generation but also future heirs, ensuring a comprehensive approach to family wealth and legacy planning. Advisors using Vanilla report transformative experiences in client engagement, highlighting the platform's ability to visualize and simplify complex estate planning concepts.Tweetable Quotes:"Vanilla is changing the narrative around estate planning from documents to discussions." - Jim Sinai "Estate planning done right is about building relationships that go deeper than money." - Jim Sinai"Every family has a legacy. Vanilla helps define and protect it for generations." - Jim Sinai Resources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPodcast Editinghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jimsinai/https://www.justvanilla.com/ 

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of compliance and archiving with Larry Shumbres, CEO, and founder of Archive Intel. Archive Intel leverages AI to revolutionize the way businesses handle compliance, offering a singular platform to manage and mitigate risks effectively. We explore the challenges and opportunities in the sector, the role of AI in compliance, and how Archive Intel is setting new standards for efficiency and user experience.Episode Highlights:00:10 - Introduction to the podcast. Jason Pereira, the host, welcomes listeners to the show and introduces Larry Shumbres, CEO, and founder of Archive Intel. The discussion sets the stage for a deep dive into the significance of AI-powered compliance in the financial sector. 00:33 - Larry expresses gratitude for the opportunity to discuss Archive Intel on the podcast, highlighting the importance of sharing knowledge on compliance solutions. 00:35 - The inception story of Archive Intel. Larry narrates how conversations with investment advisors and broker dealers highlighted the need for a modern compliance archiving solution, leading to the establishment of Archive Intel. 01:42 - Archive Intel's value proposition. Larry outlines how the platform is designed to streamline the archiving of communications across emails, social media, and texting, using AI to drive efficiency and reduce compliance risks. 02:31 - Addressing the limitations of previous solutions. The conversation shifts to the problems with existing compliance archiving solutions, such as siloed products and the labor-intensive review process, setting the context for Archive Intel's integrated approach.05:24 - Focusing on the financial industry. Larry discusses the strategic decision to cater exclusively to the financial sector, improving user experience and efficiency by narrowing the platform's focus. 06:10 - Artificial Intelligence in Archive Intel. Larry dives into how AI is used to streamline processes, reduce false positives, and enhance the review process, underscoring the company's forward-thinking approach. 10:42 - Evolution of Archive Intel and AI models. Larry shares insights into the development journey of Archive Intel's AI capabilities, highlighting the iterative process of improvement. Key Points:The advent of AI in compliance represents a pivotal shift towards more efficient and less error-prone processes.Intel's use of AI to handle compliance tasks signals a significant advancement in the field.Specializing in a niche area, like the financial sector, allows for deeper understanding and better solutions for industry-specific challenges.Tweetable Quotes:"Building AI solutions is like teaching a child to walk or talk; it takes time and adjustment." - Larry"Let users communicate on their preferred channels and focus on effectively archiving those communications." - Larry "AI in compliance is not just about automation; it's about elevating the entire compliance process to new standards of efficiency and precision." - LarryResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPodcast Editinghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/larryshumbres/https://archiveintel.com/ 

In this episode of Fintech Impact, host Jason Pereira interviews Aaron Schumm, Founder and CEO of Vestwell, a revolutionary platform designed to empower employee savings programs across America. Aaron shares insights into how Vestwell is reshaping savings through workplace and direct-to-individual programs, emphasizing tax-preferred savings vehicles. The conversation delves into the pain points that led to the creation of Vestwell, its innovative approach to simplifying savings, and the impact it hopes to have on the financial well-being of millions.Episode Highlights:00:25: Aaron discusses Vestwell as a backend powerhouse that enables savings programs such as 401k's and IRAs through channel partners, focusing on tax-preferred vehicles and emphasizing the importance of making savings accessible to all.02:08: Aaron talks about the organic growth of Vestwell to include a wide array of saving programs, driven by a desire to solve broader issues in the savings industry. This part of the discussion illuminates Vestwell's holistic approach in addressing savings needs beyond retirement. 04:15: Aaron elaborates on Vestwell's model of distribution through channel partners, particularly financial advisors, and how it aims to seamlessly integrate savings programs into existing financial ecosystems to enhance scalability and reach.08:23: Aaron paints a picture of the end-user journey, emphasizing the personalized and engaging digital interface that encourages participation and informed savings decisions.13:39: The conversation turns to the reception of Vestwell's platform among users and partners, highlighting the balance between innovation and the challenges of shifting away from legacy providers and systems. 18:18: Aaron shares his long-term vision for Vestwell, emphasizing the untapped potential in the savings space and the importance of collaborative efforts to drive meaningful change and financial wellness for millions.Key Takeaways:Vestwell aims to revolutionize the way savings programs are integrated and experienced in the workplace, addressing significant gaps in the market and making savings accessible to a broader audience.The company's growth and expansion signify a broader mission to tackle various facets of financial wellness, from retirement to education and healthcare savings. Overcoming legacy systems and redesigning the user experience were pivotal challenges that shaped Vestwell's trajectory, leading to an innovative platform that prioritizes simplicity and accessibility.Tweetable Quotes:"In our industry, simplifying complex processes is not just a luxury; it's a necessity. Vestwell aims to make savings straightforward and accessible for everyone." - Aaron Schumm"The journey from concept to execution in fintech is filled with unexpected challenges, but overcoming these obstacles paves the way for meaningful innovation." - Aaron Schumm "By focusing on the user experience, we're not just building a platform; we're fostering a culture of savings and financial wellness." - Aaron SchummResources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPodcast Editinghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronschumm/https://www.vestwell.com/ 

In this episode of Fintech Impact, Jason Pereira interviews Doug Fritz, CEO and Founder of F2 Strategy. He delves into the complexities technology brings into the financial advisory and brokerage landscape and how F2 Strategy aids firms in navigating and harnessing technology for growth and efficiency. Doug shares insights from his wealth of experience in wealth management technology consultancy, emphasizing the role of data and client experience in the evolution of financial advisory services.Episode Highlights:00:09: Doug Fritz introduces F2 Strategy, a consultancy specializing in technology strategy for wealth management. With a focus on midsize RIAs, broker dealers, and family offices, F2 Strategy assists in navigating the technological landscape to forward business growth. Doug's background in international equities and executive tech roles underpins his expertise in delivering complex organizational technology solutions.02:01: The transition to consultancy was inspired by the need for a firm that truly understands the internal challenges of wealth management technology. By harnessing a team of industry veterans, F2 offers unparalleled insights into technology strategy and execution.04:01: Doug discusses the challenges of cultural change within organizations and how technology is an enabler, not a driver, of such shifts. The journey to integrating new technology is not just about adopting tools but about fostering a culture receptive to change.07:21: The typical engagement process with F2 involves a deep dive into understanding the client firm's core identity, aspirations, and crafting a tailor-made technology roadmap aimed at facilitating desired growth and transformations. 10:21: Data centralization and leveraging digital client experiences stand out as key trends driving firms to seek F2's expertise. Firms are increasingly aware of the importance of managing and utilizing data effectively to drive strategic decisions and refine client engagement. Key Points:Experience in the trenches of wealth management technology provides unparalleled insights into effective strategy development and implementation.Cultural adaptability and an ongoing cadence of technology evolution within firms are crucial for embracing and optimizing new solutions.Leveraging data and digital client experiences are forefront trends in the industry, with firms increasingly recognizing the strategic value of harnessing these elements for growth.Tweetable quotes:"In our industry, experience matters immensely. Having someone who truly understands the nuts and bolts of wealth management technology can be a game-changer for firms.""The journey toward digital transformation within firms goes beyond mere technology adoption; it's about cultural evolution and readiness for change." "Data is the new gold in wealth management. Firms that learn to centralize and harness their data effectively will lead the charge in innovation and client engagement."Resources Mentioned:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPodcast Editinghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dougfritz/https://www.f2strategy.com/