Reports & Statistics
2016 Digital Advice Working Group Report
CFP Board formed the Digital Advice Working Group — a group of senior business executives, industry professionals and thought leaders in financial advice, wealth management and technology — to better study and prepare for the unknown future impact of digital advice on the delivery of financial advice.
Beginning in 2015, the financial services industry experienced a rapid transformation as several major firms either bought, built, or partnered to develop digital advice solutions for their retail clients. Looking to understand how this change would impact human advice and the financial planning industry, CFP Board convened the Digital Advice Working Group.
Utilizing a scenario-planning approach, CFP Board convened leaders from multiple fintech firms to develop four scenarios:
- Everyone Goes Digital
- Judgement Day
- Rise of the Humans
- Back to the Future
This report explores the causes, implications, challenges and opportunities of each of these outcomes with the intent to initiate further thought and discussion on the future of financial advice.