Can Schwab, six years late to the robo party, 'freeze the market', catch up and blow doors?
The potential is awesome but the San Francisco giant is currently generating PR for an offering that does not yet have a launch date
Stephen Winks
As John Bogle observes the brokerage industry is “mostly about illusion, wanting for substance.”
So when Walt Bettinger (a former institutional consultant) interjects substance, greatly elevating the discussion of advice, we all learn how empty the discussion has been to date. The brokerage approach to advice is exposed which treats advice as a product which brokers sell rather than an expert prudent process that advisors manage (as required by statute.). Brokers have no control over their value proposition, cost structure, margins or professional standing which represents a c-change in how advisory services (as opposed to products) are delivered.
Schwab may well transform the entire financial services industry by actually introducing large scale institutionalized support for advice in accord to fiduciary responsibilities required by statute in the best interest of the investing public.
Supporting professional standing in advisory services will win Schwab incredible market share and certainly the preference of every consumer interested in fair dealing and their best interest being served. Everyone is tired of Wall Street placing its best interest ahead of the consumer.
SCW
Jack Waymire
How can this Schwab service not compete with the interests of the RIAs and IARs that use its platforms? The typical 100 bps service fee that is charged by most advisors will be a huge disadvantage for investors who put less emphasis on relationships. Perhaps this is a thinly disguised power play by Schwab that says to RIAs, use our free service or run the risk of losing relationships to lower cost service providers. Schwab has the brand name and horsepower to make this happen. How can RIAs compete with free Schwab investment advisory services? Offer integrated planning, investment, insurance, and tax services. The more services you offer the tougher you are to replace. If you don’t offer these services in-house create a team of professionals who work together to provide integrated solutions.
Related Moves
Walter Bettinger joins Charles Schwab Corp. mass executive exodus, leaving a very complex CEO puzzle to solve for his young, ex-McKinsey successor
CEO grew the company by $8 trillion in assets to 'powerhouse' status amid significant accomplishments -- sans RIA mention -- but shares are sagging, and its bank remains a sore subject.
October 3, 2024 at 10:12 PM
Walt Bettinger discloses expiration of unknown 'pact' to explain to Schwab investors why Bernie Clark, Peter Crawford and Joe Martinetto all chose to exit at once
The 'sort of informal' deal was struck in 2019, but never revealed to shareholders during the merger transition, until the departures were announced -- in one press release -- this month.
May 25, 2024 at 2:45 AM
Fidelity lands RIA whisperer from Schwab in a coup, apparently using quality-of-life perks as lure
Kelly Smith chose the Boston rival for greater flexibility, better pay and a chance to move upmarket to sell family office services to RIAs that mix with the ultra-high-net-worth elite.
February 10, 2023 at 3:39 AM
RIA recap: Bernie Clark promises to 'be there' for coming TDA-Schwab system snafus; Fidelity gets custody win; Vanguard dishes out big tax bill to investors
Schwab RIA chief petitions for 'patience' for coming merger inconveniences but 'repapering' is no culprit; Carrie Pomerantz gets Schwab board seat; Addepar wins $65 billion AUM contract.
November 3, 2022 at 1:59 AM
See more related moves
