Tag: Technology
Defying Conventions: A Closer Look at DeFi with Lex Sokolin (Ep. 8)

Defying Conventions: A Closer Look at DeFi with Lex Sokolin (Ep. 8)

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DeFi (Decentralized Finance) has gained much popularity over the past couple of years in FinTech discussions relating to cryptocurrency. 

Recent statistics suggest that over 70% of advisors suspect their clients are dabbling in crypto without engaging them in the process. In the wealth management world, is there possibly a disconnect between advisors and what their clients want? Where does DeFi fit into the crypto realm? 

In this episode we have Lex Sokolin, the Global Fintech Co-Head at ConsenSys to dissect the term DeFi and explain its impact on Cryptoeconomics. He gives us a closer look at the benefits, opportunities, and concerns within the crypto space.

Lex discusses:

  • What is DeFi?
  • Blockchain and its impact on the financial services industry
  • What is the web3 economy?
  • The factors that led to a recent crisis in the crypto market 
  • And More!

Resources:

Connect with Flyer FT:

Connect with Lex Sokolin:

About Lex Sokolin: 

Lex is a futurist and entrepreneur working on the next generation of financial services. He is the Global Fintech Co-Head at ConsenSys, a blockchain technology company building the infrastructure, applications, and practices that enable a decentralized world. Lex focuses on emerging digital assets, public and private enterprise blockchain solutions, and decentralized finance and autonomous organizations.

Previously, Lex was the Global Director of Fintech Strategy at Autonomous Research (acquired by AllianceBernstein), an equity research firm serving institutional investors, where he covered artificial intelligence, blockchain, neobanks, digital lenders, roboadvisors, payments, insurtech, and mixed reality. Before Autonomous, Lex was COO at AdvisorEngine, a digital wealth management technology platform, and CEO of NestEgg Wealth, a roboadvisor that partnered with financial advisors. Before NestEgg, Lex held roles in investment management and banking at Barclays, Lehman Brothers and Deutsche Bank. He earned a JD/MBA from Columbia University and a B.A. in Economics and Law from Amherst College.

Lex is a contributor of thought leadership to the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, Bloomberg, FT, Reuters, American Banker, ThinkAdvisor, and Investment News, among others. He is a regular speaker at industry conferences such as Money2020, LendIt, Schwab Impact, In|Vest, T3 Enterprise Edition, and Consensus. His writing is publicly available at https://lex.substack.com.

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Making a Case for an API-Connected Ecosystem with Craig Iskowitz (Ep.4)

Making a Case for an API-Connected Ecosystem with Craig Iskowitz (Ep.4)

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APIs (Application Programming Interface) have improved the workflow of businesses in many industries by bridging the gap between different software and allowing them to communicate with each other. When it comes to the wealth management industry, accurate, timely, and seamless data exchange is table stakes. So, what does an API-enabled future look like?

In this episode, Craig Iskowitz, CEO and founder of Ezra Group, discusses:

  • What is an API
  • How APIs have transformed the wealth management industry
  • Why it is important to have more transparent and well-designed APIs
  • How to ensure platform security while using APIs
  • Things to consider when evaluating a vendor’s API stack
  • And more!

Resources:


Connect with Shannon Rosic:

Connect with Craig Iskowitz:

About Our Guest:

Craig Iskowitz is a business and technology strategy consultant who is a recognized expert on fee-based advisory platforms and wealth management technology. He is the CEO and founder of Ezra Group, a strategy consulting firm providing technology and business advice to banks, broker-dealers, asset managers, and 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 is also the host of the Wealth Tech Today podcast, where he discusses, dissects, and debates the latest news and trends in wealth management technology.



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Scale vs. Service: How Advisors can Utilize Tech to Focus on Outcome-Oriented Advice with Will Trout (Ep.3)

Scale vs. Service: How Advisors can Utilize Tech to Focus on Outcome-Oriented Advice with Will Trout (Ep.3)

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Investment managers and advisors are all about balancing their clients’ needs while striving to provide a superior level of service. 

But, what role does technology play when it comes to providing clients with personalized, outcome-oriented advice? Managers must develop the agility to customize products and services without amplifying operational cost and complexity. 

In this episode, Will Trout, the Director of Wealth Management at Javelin Strategy & Research, joins Shannon Rosic to unpack the challenges and opportunities around personalized delivery of advice and how technology can augment the entire experience.

Will discusses: 

  • His areas of expertise within the wealth management industry
  • Ways investment managers and advisors can achieve a reasonable level of customization and personalization with their clients
  • Balancing scale and service by using technology
  • Trends around portfolio management 
  • The role of direct indexing in the marketplace 
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Will Trout:

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

About our Guest: 

William Trout is a thought leader in North American technology strategy and innovation in the wealth and asset management industries. He has particular expertise in platform automation; portfolio management and optimization tools; data capture, storage, and analytics; and robotic process automation and AI. Within the wealth management arena, his interests include financial planning, investment advisory, retail brokerage, and trust.

An authority on digital advice delivery, William has been widely quoted in publications such as Bloomberg, CNBC, Financial Times, New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. He is also a frequent speaker at industry conferences and client gatherings.

Before joining Javelin, William led the wealth management practice at Celent, the research and advisory arm of Oliver Wyman. Previously, he was head of product and segment development for affluent and high-net-worth customers within BBVA USA, as well as a member of the BBVA Group’s global Private Banking management team. William holds an AB from Harvard College.



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