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Wealthfront's high-net-worth cat leaps out of the bag -- keeping it one robo 'pivot' ahead of Schwab

The Palo Alto firm with $1.7 billion of managed assets reveals that its little secret is big accounts

Author Sanders Wommack December 19, 2014 at 7:33 PM
3 Comments
no description available
Adam Nash: We thought we were launching a product, but it turned out we were launching a category.

Robo-Advisors

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Technology


Grant Barger

Grant Barger

December 19, 2014 — 10:53 PM

Nice report. Probably a pretty good strategy for wealth front to focus on HNW clients seeing as ROI (especially in indexed products) has little to do with the creation of wealth. That being stated, we all know that the rich are not content in maintaining wealth…they want to get richer. And without going into detail about the flaws in Fama-French folklore (just Google it) offering discounted,tax-efficient, marginal performing portfolios does not sound like a win-win.
In this industry, which is paradoxical by nature, when solutions are offered freely in such broad strokes it should beg more than a few questions: What type of indexing (specifically) are we talking about? What are the flaws associated with the presentation of indexing as being a cure-all? How is indexing supposed to handle the dynamic fluctuations of the multitude of risks associated with investing? What are the real risks associated with indexed structured products?
Chuck versus wealth front is of noise in the bushes scenario that bodes well for both companies…as long as you spell their names right. The serious advisor understands the folly of engaging with digital noise makers… A big part of their job now is to make sure their clients understand that folly as well. Thanks for sharing, Brooke. Keep tearing down that wall.

Paul Damon

Paul Damon

December 22, 2014 — 9:04 PM

Does Wealthfront really have > $130 billion in financing? (“earn ROI on $130 billion-plus of venture capital.”)

I’d imagine that “B” should be an 'M’ (per below CNBC article), though that type of 'Jack Ma money’ is a pleasant aspirational typo not really worth addressing for any founder.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/102127447#.

brooke southall

brooke southall

December 22, 2014 — 11:27 PM

Good catch, Paul. I recall when you did that quite effectively on articles where your clients were involved. you have a good eye.

Grant. I’ll keep at it on walls but I may need to go to my greener self.

Incredible Hulk


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Mentioned in this article:

Nexus Strategy
Consulting Firm
Top Executive: Timothy D. Welsh

Wealthfront
Portfolio Management System
Top Executive: Andy Rachleff

Betterment, LLC
Financial Planning Software
Top Executive: Jon Stein



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