Are robo-advisors the future?
Robo-advisors have certainly grown in popularity. According to figures from Statista, a projected $2.67 trillion will be under management by robo-advisors by the end of 2023 — and that figure is expected to grow to $4.53 trillion by 2027.
The benefits of partnering with a (human) financial advisor
While AI technology may be rapidly transforming the financial sector, it is highly unlikely that human financial advisors will become obsolete anytime soon.
Digital Advisor Use Dropped in 2022
High-net-worth investors exited robo-advisor arrangements at the highest rates. Here's how the data broke down along asset levels: $50,000 or less: A drop from 23.6% to 20.6% in 2022, which translates to a decrease of 3 percentage points.
They do not, however, generally function as stock brokers, instead choosing a basket of funds for you based on your goals. Don't expect a robo-advisor to beat the market since its goal is to maintain a balance with the market.
For some, the simplicity, accessibility, and lower costs make them a very appealing choice. However, for those desiring more personalized service and sophisticated investment strategies, a human financial advisor may be worth the additional cost.
If you're wondering whether doom and gloom stories about financial advisors becoming obsolete, here's some reassurance: people will always need financial advice. And while technology may satisfy some of those needs, it's not a perfect solution or an adequate replacement for a human financial advisor.
Financial advisors are leaving the industry for all sorts of reasons, but in most cases, the root cause can be traced to the same origin: failed training programs. The result is that many advisors struggle to build an enduring practice.
Robo-advisor performance is one way to understand the value of digital advice. Learn how fees, enhanced features, and investment options can also be key considerations. Five-year returns from most robo-advisors range from 2%–5% per year.
Limited Flexibility. If you want to sell call options on an existing portfolio or buy individual stocks, most robo-advisors won't be able to help you. There are sound investment strategies that go beyond an investing algorithm.
For core investing and planning advice, a robo-advisor is a great solution because it automates much of the work that a human advisor does. And it charges less for doing so – potential savings for you. Plus, the ease of starting and managing the account can't be overstated.
Which robo-advisor has best returns?
- Betterment. Best Robo-Advisor for Everyday Investors.
- SoFi Automated Investing. Best Robo-Advisor for Low Fees.
- Vanguard Digital Advisor. Best Robo-Advisor for Beginners.
- Vanguard Personal Advisor Services. Best Robo-Advisor for High Balances.
- Wealthfront.
Robo-advisors help automate the decision-making, recommending a portfolio that aligns with an investor's goals and preferences. Robo-advisors may carry higher fees than ETFs, but their costs usually remain below those of a traditional human advisor.
Online brokers are ideal for those who prefer a hands-on approach, making their own decisions and doing their own research. Robo-advisors are best suited for those who value simplicity and hands-off automation.
Suppose you're starting from scratch and have no savings. You'd need to invest around $13,000 per month to save a million dollars in five years, assuming a 7% annual rate of return and 3% inflation rate. For a rate of return of 5%, you'd need to save around $14,700 per month.
The latest MagnifyMoney study of nearly 1,600 Americans finds that 63% of consumers are open to using a robo-advisor to manage their investments, with millennials being the most open (75%). That said, only 41% of Americans with investments use a financial advisor — and just 1% say they use a robo-advisor.
The worldwide Robo-Advisors market is projected to see a significant increase in assets under management, reaching a staggering US$1,802.00bn by the year 2024.
Maximizing assets under management and catering to the evolving needs of investors will be significant priorities throughout 2024. Looking forward, 80% of wealth managers see technology as a “critical” or “very important” enabler to achieving this growth.
Forbes Advisor. “Nearly 80% of Young Adults Get Financial Advice from This Surprising Place.” National Association of Personal Financial Advisors. “NAPFA Survey on Americans' Sources for Financial Planning and Retirement Investing Advice,” Page 4.
There can be several reasons why people may have a negative perception of financial advisors. Some common reasons include: Lack of trust: Some people may not trust financial advisors because of past experiences or because they believe the advisor has a conflict of interest.
Being a financial advisor can be highly stressful due to the responsibility of managing clients' financial futures, market volatility, and the need to make crucial decisions under pressure. Stress levels can vary based on individual clients and market conditions.
What percentage of financial advisors succeed?
2. The Statistics: 80-90% of financial advisors fail and close their firm within the first three years of business. This means only 10-20% of financial advisors are ultimately successful.
- Vanguard Personal and Digital Advisor Services. $118.99 billion. 348,113. 12/31/2022.
- Empower (Formerly Personal Capital) $99.8 billion. 188,081. 6/14/2023.
- Schwab Intelligent Portfolios. $66.08 billion. 495,347. 12/31/2022.
- Betterment. $36.63 billion. 1,023,431. 05/01/2023.
- Wealthfront.
Target Demographic
Many digital platforms target and attract certain demographics more than others. For robo-advisors, these include Millennial and Generation Z investors who are technology-savvy and still accumulating their investable assets.
Robo-advisors cost less than traditional financial advisors. These electronic advisors typically impose annual fees of around 0.5% of assets under management, compared with 1% to 2% charged by many human advisors.
The problem is that most robo-advisors do not offer comprehensive exposure to these assets. This means that investors must either open separate accounts elsewhere in order to gain exposure to these asset classes, or else capitulate to accepting a portfolio consisting only of stocks and bonds.
