About this episode
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today’s interview is with a wealth management entrepreneur who created one of the most consequential wealth management technology companies that has helped to shape the industry into what it is today.Bill Crager is the Co-Founder of Envestnet, which he and his co-founder, the late Jud Bergman, grew into a public company. Bill was the CEO of Envestnet during the company’s time as both a public company and following Bain Capital’s acquisition to take the company private for $4.5B.Bill is now back at it again, joining iAltA Holdings as a Founding Partner to build a suite of businesses at the intersection of private markets and private wealth management infrastructure alongside former Ipreo CEO Scott Ganeles, former Ipreo Executive Bill Sherman, and former Blackstone CFO and WestCap Founder Laurence Tosi.Bill and I had a fascinating conversation about wealth management and private markets. We covered:The evolution of wealthtech.What advisors are looking for when it comes to technology.How technology can help advisors deliver a high-quality experience to clients.Why private markets are now playing such a big role in the business of wealth management.What is missing in private markets infrastructure.The role of AI in financial planning.Why Bill wanted to go back to building again.What is in store for iAltA.Thanks Bill for sharing your wisdom and expertise on private wealth and private markets.Show Notes00:00 Introduction to Early Technology00:12 Sponsorship Message from Ultimus02:09 Welcome to the Alt Goes Mainstream Podcast02:12 Introduction to Bill Crager04:19 Building Envestnet and Early Challenges05:06 Evolution of Wealth Management07:00 Adoption of Technology in Wealth Management08:39 Private Equity's Role in Wealth Management10:17 Horizontal vs. Vertical Solutions14:11 Challenges in Wealth Management Technology16:22 Data and Technology in Wealth Management22:41 Customization and Future of UMA24:30 Impact of Data on Private Markets26:30 Evergreen Funds and UMAs27:45 Fusion of Public and Private Markets28:07 Data Inputs for Financial Advice28:33 Building Financial Plans at Scale28:59 The Need for Holistic Financial Connectivity29:35 Challenges in Data Flow and Infrastructure30:29 The Role of AI in Financial Planning30:49 Balancing Machine Learning with Human Assurance31:35 AI's Impact on Financial Advice32:40 Future of Financial Planning with AI35:06 Trust in Technology vs. Human Advisors35:19 The Emotional Component of Financial Advice36:31 The Evolution of Wealth Management37:02 Token