Last week’s acquisition of end-consumer engagement platform, rplan, by InvestCloud, is another tech play for asset managers and providers, hot on the heels of Invesco’s acquisition of Intelliflo.
Having been an early user tester back in 2011, I’ve followed the rplan journey. Back then, ex Cofunds COO, Andy Creak, decided that the likes of Hargreaves Lansdown needed some new competition. This was in the pre-RDR days when direct platforms had obscure pricing and clunky digital platforms.
More recently, rplan found a role improving user experience for asset managers with legacy D2C clients. This requires investment, so asset managers have then considered upping the ante to compete with other digital investment services. No easy feat for companies that don’t have a heritage of servicing end consumers. The guys at rplan were on hand to help in the UK and InvestCloud clearly thinks it’s a universal solution to a global problem.
We have published our latest European platform research this week including a section on how platforms are increasingly providing wealthtech solutions to distributors and asset managers. See below for more details and remember that our fast approaching Platforum ID – the Investment Distribution Conference on 4th July includes content on European fund distribution and D2C/digital as well as the core UK intermediated distribution focus.
There is a fascinating session on the disruption of financial services by digital technology and consumer-focused brands including rplan’s Andy Creak and two of the leading international thinkers on robo advice – BlackRock’s Michael Gruener and Nick Wakefield from Singapore based Bambu. Not to be missed.
Click here for more information on European Fund Distribution: European Platforms.
Click here to register for Platforum ID – the Investment Distribution Conference on 4th July.