solutions that work

There is currently a plethora of information and opinions about how COVID-19 has and will continue to change the way we all do business. Technology is often at the forefront of these decisions. Consider your local pizza restaurant, where you order pizza for Friday movie night. In the past, you’d call in an order, and

The trend toward consolidation in the regulatory technology (RegTech) arena may be heating up. Last week leading compliance technology and surveillance firm, Smarsh, announced its acquisition of Entreda, a fintech provider focused on helping RIAs and broker-dealers address information security and cybersecurity risk. Together, the firms seek to provide a more holistic RegTech solution spanning

An area that we follow closely as an indicator of the overall market health is RIA transactions in progress and/or completed, particularly by aggregators. This includes outright acquisitions, as well as joint ventures or major new offerings. After a record number of transactions in 2019 at unprecedented multiples and a strong Q1 2020 start, March

Instagram, which used to be primarily a platform for personal use, is increasingly used by companies to promote their brands and their businesses. It allows organizations to show the friendly, personal side of themselves. In 2020, usage of social media has increased substantially as a way to access the larger world while we stay at

While not a new concept, content marketing, particularly in the form of thought leadership programs, is proving to be an effective tool for promoting service firms like wealth and asset managers. This is not surprising since these firms “sell” an intangible product where expertise is critical, and well-crafted thought leadership can provide a compelling proof

As a research-driven organization, Optima Group closely monitors events that are expected to have a material impact on the financial services sector. Needless to say, we are carefully watching trends that might emerge from the current situation. We are focusing special attention on several key questions, the answers to which may portend consequential future developments

Back in 2011, AON Risk Solutions published an insightful article on surviving unexpected catastrophes, called “Keys to Success in Managing a Black Swan Event.” The article is instructive for organizations, including wealth and asset management firms, looking for guidance in crafting their communications and client outreach programs through the current COVID-19 pandemic.  First, what not

It’s Cinco de Mayo. A time when friends and families normally gather together for good times, chips with guacamole and Corona beer with a wedge of lime. Now get-togethers must be virtual, and the Corona name is forever linked with a deadly pandemic, similarly named for its crown shape. Is the Corona brand strong enough