WealthTech on Deck artwork

The Tech Stack Revolution with Craig Iskowitz

WealthTech on Deck

English - August 15, 2023 07:00 - 29 minutes - ★★★★★ - 16 ratings
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In pursuing an optimized tech stack, wealth management firms are engaged in a relentless game of integrating and coordinating their operating systems. From sophisticated analytics tools to artificial intelligence-driven platforms, these advancements hold immense potential for both financial advisors and their clients. As the trend gains momentum, firms realize the need for comprehensive and strategic approaches to their technological infrastructure.
In this episode, Jack talks with Craig Iskowitz, Founder and CEO of Ezra Group, a strategy consulting firm providing technology and business advice to banks, broker-dealers, asset managers, private equity, and fintech firms. In addition to providing customized solutions to the wealth management industry, Craig publishes WTToday, a blog offering the latest insight on technology for wealth, asset, and investment management professionals. Craig also hosts the WealthTech Today podcast, where he discusses, dissects, and debates the latest news and trends in wealth management technology.
A business and technology strategy consultant, Craig talks to Jack about the latest trends in wealth management technology and the challenges that firms face in implementing new technology. He also shares his insights on the shift toward more advanced wealth management platforms and how the game is on for integrating and coordinating wealth advisor operating systems.

Key Takeaways

[01:21] - What makes up the Ezra Group?

[02:25] - Craig's backstory and experience in the wealthtech industry.

[04:14] - The impact of COVID on Ezra Group.

[07:41] - An introduction to Pershing's Wove platform.

[10:14] - Craig's advice for legacy firms with tech debt.

[11:19] - The trend toward more advanced wealth management platforms.

[15:03] - The importance of coordinated capabilities in improving user experience.

[17:25] - What the future holds for the wealthtech industry. 

[21:07] - How the game is on for integrating and coordinating wealth advisor operating systems.

[22:12] - Craig's three key takeaways.

[26:23] - Craig's interests outside of work.

Quotes
[22:32] - "If you're an enterprise wealth management firm, we always recommend setting up an annual tech stack review. Get the stakeholders from across the company and go top to bottom through your tech stack." ~ Craig Iskowitz 
[23:40] - "Most wealth management firms barely use 20% of the feature functionality of the software they're using. But they're paying for 100%." ~ Craig Iskowitz 
[24:39] - "Do not put your private company data into ChatGPT or any other GPTs. If you let your internal company documents, spreadsheets, or even client PII paste into ChatGPT, they own that data and can use it to generate new content for someone else." ~ Craig Iskowitz 

Links 

Craig Iskowitz on LinkedIn

Craig Iskowitz on Twitter

Ezra Group

Morningstar

Orion Advisor Solutions

Pershing

Riskalyze

Advisor Group

LPL Financial 

Cetera Financial Group

Wove | Pershing X

Envestnet | Tamarac

Connect with our hosts

LifeYield

Jack Sharry on LinkedIn

Jack Sharry on Twitter

Subscribe and stay in touch

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

LinkedIn

Twitter

Facebook

In pursuing an optimized tech stack, wealth management firms are engaged in a relentless game of integrating and coordinating their operating systems. From sophisticated analytics tools to artificial intelligence-driven platforms, these advancements hold immense potential for both financial advisors and their clients. As the trend gains momentum, firms realize the need for comprehensive and strategic approaches to their technological infrastructure.

In this episode, Jack talks with Craig Iskowitz, Founder and CEO of Ezra Group, a strategy consulting firm providing technology and business advice to banks, broker-dealers, asset managers, private equity, and fintech firms. In addition to providing customized solutions to the wealth management industry, Craig publishes WTToday, a blog offering the latest insight on technology for wealth, asset, and investment management professionals. Craig also hosts the WealthTech Today podcast, where he discusses, dissects, and debates the latest news and trends in wealth management technology.

A business and technology strategy consultant, Craig talks to Jack about the latest trends in wealth management technology and the challenges that firms face in implementing new technology. He also shares his insights on the shift toward more advanced wealth management platforms and how the game is on for integrating and coordinating wealth advisor operating systems.


Key Takeaways


[01:21] - What makes up the Ezra Group?
[02:25] - Craig's backstory and experience in the wealthtech industry.
[04:14] - The impact of COVID on Ezra Group.
[07:41] - An introduction to Pershing's Wove platform.
[10:14] - Craig's advice for legacy firms with tech debt.
[11:19] - The trend toward more advanced wealth management platforms.
[15:03] - The importance of coordinated capabilities in improving user experience.
[17:25] - What the future holds for the wealthtech industry. 
[21:07] - How the game is on for integrating and coordinating wealth advisor operating systems.
[22:12] - Craig's three key takeaways.
[26:23] - Craig's interests outside of work.


Quotes

[22:32] - "If you're an enterprise wealth management firm, we always recommend setting up an annual tech stack review. Get the stakeholders from across the company and go top to bottom through your tech stack." ~ Craig Iskowitz 

[23:40] - "Most wealth management firms barely use 20% of the feature functionality of the software they're using. But they're paying for 100%." ~ Craig Iskowitz 

[24:39] - "Do not put your private company data into ChatGPT or any other GPTs. If you let your internal company documents, spreadsheets, or even client PII paste into ChatGPT, they own that data and can use it to generate new content for someone else." ~ Craig Iskowitz 


Links 


Craig Iskowitz on LinkedIn
Craig Iskowitz on Twitter
Ezra Group
Morningstar
Orion Advisor Solutions
Pershing
Riskalyze
Advisor Group

LPL Financial 
Cetera Financial Group
Wove | Pershing X
Envestnet | Tamarac


Connect with our hosts


LifeYield
Jack Sharry on LinkedIn
Jack Sharry on Twitter


Subscribe and stay in touch


Apple Podcasts
Spotify
LinkedIn
Twitter
Facebook

Twitter Mentions