The wealth management industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. The digital revolution, evolving client expectations, and growing regulatory complexity are reshaping the sector, challenging firms to rethink their strategies. Success now depends on their ability to seamlessly integrate technology, elevate client experience, and maintain profitability.
The question is no longer whether firms should adapt but how swiftly and effectively they can execute change. Those that embrace digitalization, strategic partnerships, and cybersecurity will lead the next era of wealth management. Others risk obsolescence.
At the Future of Wealth Forum, a panel moderated by Najia Belbal brought together industry leaders to discuss these challenges and opportunities:
- Yohann Niddam, Partner at Périclès Group
- Matthias Van Den Eede, Head of Beewise at Azimut Investments
- Laurent Charon, Director of Innovation & Transformation at AG2R LA MONDIALE
Their insights underscored the strategic imperatives shaping the future of wealth management and the bold decisions firms must make to stay competitive.
Reinventing wealth management: a digital imperative
Traditionally, wealth management has been built on personalized service, trust, and exclusivity. But today’s clients expect more. They demand instant access, transparency, and frictionless digital interactions—without compromising on expertise.
Laurent Charon emphasized that firms failing to meet these expectations will struggle to retain their clients. “Customer satisfaction is directly tied to retention. At AG2R, we’ve made it a strategic priority—so much so that every meeting room has a chair reserved for the customer, a constant reminder of who we serve.”
The challenge is not whether to invest in customer experience but how to do so without eroding profitability. Successful firms view technology not as an expense but as a strategic enabler of both engagement and efficiency.
Technology: the catalyst for growth and efficiency
Digitalization is no longer a competitive advantage—it is a necessity for survival. Firms that fail to integrate advanced technology into their operations will quickly be outpaced by more agile competitors.
Yohann Niddam highlighted a common industry gap: “Wealth managers excel at client relationships but often lack IT expertise. The reality is, without technology, delivering a high-quality customer experience is no longer possible.” A Périclès Group study found that firms investing in automation, AI, and digital tools significantly reduce operational costs while improving compliance and client onboarding.
Matthias Van Den Eede provided a concrete example with Azimut’s launch of Beewise, a fully digital wealth management platform. “We built Beewise to redefine the client experience. Automating KYC and onboarding reduced client setup time to under 10 minutes—a dramatic improvement over the industry standard of weeks.”
Despite clear advantages, many firms remain hesitant to adopt innovation due to a lack of technological literacy at the leadership level.
“Many executives understand finance but lack a clear vision of how AI, automation, and blockchain can reshape their business models,” noted Yohann. “Bridging this gap is essential to unlocking the full potential of digital transformation.”
The firms that thrive are those that embed technology into their core strategy, making it a driver of growth, client satisfaction, and cost efficiency, rather than just an operational tool.
Strategic partnerships: accelerating innovation
Building proprietary technology is costly, time-consuming, and inefficient. The most forward-thinking firms are leveraging fintech partnerships to accelerate their transformation.
Laurent Charon shared how AG2R La Mondiale is embracing this model: “We’ve invested in 18 fintech startups, all focused on enhancing customer experience. These aren’t just financial investments—we actively integrate their solutions into our ecosystem to stay ahead.”
During the panel, AG2R announced a major milestone: a strategic partnership with Ramify, a digital-first wealth management platform. “We invested in Ramify two years ago, and today, we’re finalizing a partnership for them to distribute our products. This is a major step forward, marking our first collaboration with a fully digital wealth platform.” For fintechs, partnerships with established firms are equally critical.
“The biggest challenge isn’t convincing leadership—it’s getting operational teams to embrace new workflows,” said Matthias Van Den Eede. “Many fear automation will replace them, but in reality, it allows them to focus on higher-value tasks.”
Strategic partnerships enable firms to tap into cutting-edge innovation without the risks and costs of in-house development. The result is a faster, more agile approach to digital transformation that ensures firms remain competitive.
Cybersecurity: a business imperative
With digital transformation comes heightened risk. Cybersecurity is no longer just a compliance issue—it is a strategic priority that directly impacts client trust and regulatory standing.
Laurent Charon outlined AG2R’s growing focus on cybersecurity. “Seven years ago, our cybersecurity team had 4 people. Today, we have several dozens, and we’re still expanding. Cyber threats are escalating, and financial institutions must stay ahead.”
Yet, despite growing risks, many firms only prioritize security after an incident.
Matthias Van Den Eede warned that most breaches occur due to human error rather than advanced hacking techniques. “Most cybercrime happens because someone makes a mistake, not because of a system failure. That’s why we use AI-driven behavioral tracking to detect anomalies before a breach occurs.”
As financial services become more interconnected and data-driven, cybersecurity must be embedded into every layer of operations. It should not be seen as a barrier to digitalization but a foundational pillar of growth, client trust, and regulatory compliance.
The Future of Wealth Management: a call for decisive action
Wealth management is at a turning point. To stay relevant, firms must embrace digital transformation, strategic partnerships, and cybersecurity. Customer experience is now an expectation, making seamless digital interactions essential. AI, automation, and blockchain are foundational for scalable and client-centric services.
Fintech collaborations accelerate innovation, while cybersecurity is crucial for trust. Firms that neglect security risk not only compliance issues but also client confidence.
“The industry can no longer separate technology and profitability,” said Yohann. “Digitalization drives efficiency, scalability, and client focus.”
The future belongs to firms that balance innovation with resilience—those who act decisively will lead, while others risk falling behind.