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McKinsey & Company reports global technology spending in banking is increasing 9% per year, on average, outpacing revenue growth of 4 percent. In 2023, this spending totaled $650 billion.1 Yet, wealth managers remain unimpressed with their tech stack, with only 27% reporting they are very or somewhat satisfied with their firm’s use of technology.2
The next phase of digital transformation is less about adding tools, and more about consolidating them into a connected platform.
When every workflow begins with reconciliation
Most firms grew their tech stack through accumulation. They added:
A portfolio management system here
A CRM there
Separate alternatives tools
Reporting layers
Spreadsheet-driven workflows
Manual handoffs between teams
Over time, fragmented technologies and workflows create operational debt, putting firm pain points firmly in the spotlight. Data is problematic, the result of duplicate data entry, siloed data, data lags and more. Investment and wealth managers also feel the pain as decisions are delayed and client reporting is inconsistent, or worse, inaccurate. From an operational perspective, firms face key person risk, rising operational headcount and slower onboarding during acquisitions.
Every disconnected workflow creates a drag on valuation.
From tech stack to operating hub
In the shift from managing a suite of tools to a unified platform, you’re better positioned to drive the next stage of growth and value creation. Your business operates from a position of strength grounded in:
Unified, normalized, trusted data across public and private markets
Front-, middle- and back-office functions connect through shared workflows
Embedded intelligence, with AI and analytics operating directly on your data
Extensibility without fragmentation that future-proofs your tech stack
Outcomes from some of our fastest-growing clients:
75%
time back in the day previously spent on manual tasks
10x
increase in households served
1,000+
hours saved in reporting per year
Why a unified platform increases firm value
Modern buyers and investors increasingly evaluate firms based on factors including data quality, and automations implemented or planned to expand margins. These initiatives signal integration readiness, operational maturity, scalability and an expanding margin profile. This is how technology architecture can directly affect enterprise value.
A unified platform allows firms to scale advisors, households, assets managed and complexity simultaneously. Cleaner digital experiences and faster responses strengthen client trust and stickiness. Executives gain timely operational intelligence for better management visibility. A truly unified platform also helps to reduce operational risk by eliminating spreadsheet dependency and correcting data inconsistencies, while also reducing key person dependencies and compliance exposure.
Firms can prep for acquisition by becoming easier to integrate
M&A activity in the RIA space continues to set new records according to the DeVoe RIA Deal Book. Their Q1 2026 report finds that M&A activity accelerated strongly from 2024 → 2025, growing by +18.4%. That momentum continues into Q1 of 2026, with activity pacing roughly another +15–16% higher than 2025, if activity remains steady throughout the year.3
A unified platform changes the equation for buyers and sellers enabling:
Faster onboarding of acquired firms
Easier data normalization
Shared workflows across entities
Consistent client experiences
Cleaner compliance oversight
Rapid operational consolidation
The most valuable firms for acquisition are often those that are easiest to integrate.
References:
Unlocking value from technology in banking: An investor lens, McKinsey & Company, 2024.
Advisors are unsatisfied with tech stacks. They plan to prioritize upgrades in 2026., Wealth Management, 2025.
Q1 2026 RIA MA Deal Book, DeVoe & Company, 2026.