• Aussie investors seek global exposure, demand tech solutions
  • ViewTrade aims to revolutionise wealth management with AI
  • AI boosts efficiency, but advisors still essential in wealth management

Special Report: As Aussie investors look beyond local stocks, a global tech player aims to reshape wealth management with AI, offering advisors opportunities that could change the game entirely.

Australia’s wealth management industry is evolving.

Traditionally, Aussie investors are focused on local blue chips like BHP, Rio Tinto, and Commonwealth Bank; but now, many are increasingly seeking global exposure.

As investors look beyond Australian borders, the need for a technology that simplifies cross-border investing has never been greater.

ViewTrade, a global broker-dealer and technology provider, is aiming to step in and meet that need.

The company’s platform makes it easy for wealth managers to offer global investment opportunities to their clients.

The firm has been around for 25 years, and with a presence in over 30 countries currently, its platform connects financial institutions, wealth managers, and investors to international markets.

The company has recently expanded its services to the Australian market.

In just a few months, ViewTrade has become a vital partner for local wealth managers, fintechs, and large institutions, offering a comprehensive technology platform that connects clients to 17 global exchanges.

According to Nigel Singh, ViewTrade’s CEO for Australia, the company’s evolution from a broker-dealer focused on US securities to a full technology solution provider has been strategic.

“We give clients the full stack,” Singh explained. “They can manage everything from front-end trading to backend wealth management operations.”

For smaller fintech firms, it’s a plug-and-play solution; for large institutions, the platform is flexible enough to suit specific needs.

As Singh explained, “Modern portfolio theory tells us we should diversify. But you can’t get exposure to everything you need just in Australia.”

By providing access to markets in the US, Europe, Asia, and beyond, ViewTrade enables Aussie investors to build diversified portfolios across various asset classes, including stocks, fixed income, ETFs, and managed funds.

 

AI’s role in wealth management

It’s not just about offering access to global markets.

ViewTrade aims to tap into the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to shake up the sector.

The company’s platform is already changing the way wealth managers handle compliance and risk management.

Singh noted that compliance, in particular, is a key challenge for wealth managers, especially when accessing international markets.

Each country has its own regulations, taxes and processes, which can complicate things.

ViewTrade’s platform simplifies this, reducing the burden of compliance and allowing advisors to focus on serving their clients rather than managing complex cross-border requirements.

He also noted that “around 70% of mutual funds using AI have outperformed their peers”; adding that the potential applications of AI in wealth management are wide-ranging.

AI can help advisors stay compliant by flagging potential issues quickly, and it can even assist in client meetings.

For example, ViewTrade’s AI technology can transcribe meetings, summarising key points and action items for the advisor.

“Advisors need to start thinking about how they’re going to use AI,” Singh said. “It’s not just a matter of if, but when.”

Singh is quick to emphasise that AI isn’t meant to replace human advisors.

“AI is going to make the advice process more efficient, but it won’t replace the human element,” he explained.

“Advisors are still needed for the emotional side of financial planning. It’s about how you make the process smarter and faster.”

Some firms, like JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley, are already using this technology to free up their advisors, enabling them to focus more on the conversation rather than note-taking.

One compelling example of AI’s potential is its role in identifying changes in an investor’s risk profile.

“Let’s say you’re having a conversation with a client and they casually mention they’re feeling more risk-averse.

“AI can pick up on those subtle cues – like the tone of voice – and adjust the client’s portfolio accordingly.”

With access to that client’s risk tolerance and market data, the system could potentially generate a recommendation to move some investments into safer assets, like fixed income, for example.

“I could call the client and say, ‘Based on our conversation, maybe we should sell some of your riskier stocks and move the funds elsewhere.”

 

Plan ahead or get left behind on AI

At the moment, wealth managers already have vast amounts of data – think accounts, investments and risk preferences – to provide personalised investment advice.

But rather than relying on traditional, time-consuming methods, they can now use the power of AI to sift through this data to offer more tailored advice.

For those still hesitant to adopt AI, Singh’s advice is clear:  “You need to start thinking now about where you want to be in five years’ time.”

He emphasised that AI needs lots of data to function effectively.

“Where will that data be stored? Will it be on your server, or in the cloud? These are the decisions you need to make now.”

“And what do you want the advisor to do? Do you want them focused on high-value tasks, like building relationships and guiding clients through intergenerational wealth?

“Or do you want technology to handle the low-value tasks?”

Once firms understand the role of technology in wealth management, they can start to develop strategies to enhance efficiency, without losing the personal touch that clients value.

“You don’t have to dive into AI all at once. You can start with smaller, less risky applications – like using AI for note-taking – and then gradually expand its use as you become more comfortable.”

 

How ViewTrade views the future

Despite its vast potential, Singh acknowledged that relying completely on AI in wealth management could come with a degree of risk.

“I’m sure you’ve had the experience where Facebook’s algorithm suggests you reconnect with your ex. It’s a bit funny, and we laugh it off,” he said.

“But if an algorithm in wealth management makes a wrong move – say, suggesting a risky investment strategy – it could have major consequences.”

Despite these challenges, Singh believes AI is the future of wealth management.

“The human touch will always be important, but technology is going to make the process smarter, faster, and more accurate.”

Singh said ViewTrade has spent a significant portion of its capex on developing a technology that could help advisors service their clients better.

“We believe we’re at the forefront of this change, and we plan to continue investing in innovative tools that will shape the future of wealth management.”

As the industry evolves, and in an era where investors demand more than just domestic exposure, ViewTrade could be the tool wealth managers need, he said.

“We’re not here to take over the advisor’s job, we’re here to make them more efficient.”

 

This article was developed in collaboration with ViewTrade, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. 

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

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