JPMorgan and BlackRock partner with Saphyre to automate account opening

JPMorgan and BlackRock partner with Saphyre to automate account opening

JPMorgan and BlackRock are tapping startup Saphyre’s AI tools to automate the opening of custody accounts. The new solution allows for the digitization of account information entries, the pre-population of redundant data, and the elimination of manual processes and wet signatures.

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Wealthsimple gets regulator’s nod to test crypto platform

Wealthsimple gets regulator’s nod to test crypto platform

Wealthsimple, a Canadian robo-adviser that also operates in the U.S. and the U.K., received conditional approval from Canadian Securities Administrators to test a cryptocurrency platform over a two-year period.

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Empower to acquire robo-adviser Personal Capital for nearly $1B

Empower to acquire robo-adviser Personal Capital for nearly $1B

Empower Retirement, a subsidiary of Canada-based financial company Great-West Lifeco, will acquire robo-adviser Personal Capital for $825M on closing and up to $175 million for planned growth.

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Envestnent-owned Yodlee rolls out ‘hyper-personalization’ feature

Envestnent-owned Yodlee rolls out ‘hyper-personalization’ feature

Data aggregator Yodlee, owned by Envestnet, launched a new offering called Insights Solutions, which allows companies to gain personalized views of clients’ finances.

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Ride-hailing company Grab adds direct-to-consumer financial products

Ride-hailing company Grab adds direct-to-consumer financial products

Grab, a Singapore-based ride-hailing company that operates in several markets across southeastern Asia, began offering financial products for retail consumers through its financial unit. The new products include a micro-investment service, loans, and “buy now, pay later” capabilities.

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True Link, fintech for older adults, scores $35M Series B for expansion

True Link, fintech for older adults, scores $35M Series B for expansion

True Link, a financial platform for older adults, confirmed a $35 million Series B fund raise, resources the company says will help it move into new product categories.

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Small business 401(k) provider Guideline raises $80M

Small business 401(k) provider Guideline raises $80M

Low-cost 401(k)s for small businesses continue to be in demand despite tough economic circumstances. This week, Guideline, a San Mateo, Calif.-based 401(k) provider for small businesses, raised $80 million in funding at a valuation of $500M.

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Fintechs bank on consumer belt tightening during the pandemic

Fintechs bank on consumer belt tightening during the pandemic

Fintechs that specialize in rounding up customers’ spare change and investing those funds are getting a boost. Plum, a U.K.-based savings and investment app picked up $10 million in new funding as it plans European expansion.

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Robinhood raises $320 million along path to IPO

Robinhood raises $320 million along path to IPO

Discount brokerage Robinhood raised $320 million as part of its Series F round, bringing its valuation to $8.6 billion. The company in May raised $280 million as part of the same round, signaling investor confidence in its growth and IPO prospects.

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Goldman-owned Ayco expands financial marketplace for employers

Goldman-owned Ayco expands financial marketplace for employers

Ayco, a Goldman Sachs-owned financial company serving employers, expanded its product marketplace for employees this week, encompassing annuities, investment accounting, and tax services.

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Discovery Data’s Bob Skea on Finding Answers in Data and Technology

Discovery Data’s Bob Skea on Finding Answers in Data and Technology

Asset managers, wealth managers, insurance companies, and fintechs say they want data. But in reality, what they really want is answers.

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A Tech-Infused Wealth Management Advisor Offering Human-Infused Advice

A Tech-Infused Wealth Management Advisor Offering Human-Infused Advice

Personal Capital offers a free dashboard where users can pull together all their financial accounts for a holistic view of their assets and liabilities. CEO Jay Shah discusses the company’s notable growth during the past 16 months.

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Supporting Human Wealth Managers in a Digital Age

Supporting Human Wealth Managers in a Digital Age

What’s the future of human wealth managers in an age of passive investing, ETFs, and robo advisors? Joe Mrak, global head of wealth management at Refinitiv, says data and analytics will allow the next generation of tech-savvy wealth managers to add value and remain relevant.

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R.I.P. Wall Street Robo-Advisors

R.I.P. Wall Street Robo-Advisors

News of the robo-advisor’s death may be premature. But they’ll soon be under the same pressure to outperform the market as the humans they’re replacing.

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Survey Says: Let’s Get Digital, Digital

Survey Says: Let’s Get Digital, Digital

It seems a tired trope to say that financial advisors need to invest more in digital, but the fact remains that many advisory firms still lack the robust tech experience their younger investors want.

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