WA MAGAZINE JanFeb PDF A - Flipbook - Page 33
ADVISOR TECH
Cheetah’s Great Leap
Banks are hiring talent from the RIA space, and RIAs are
exploring opportunities to establish trust companies. One
company in particular is making the convergence happen.
O
nce primarily recognized for
its trust accounting systems,
Cheetah has evolved into a
comprehensive wealth management platform. This shift
reflects broader trends in the financial
industry, where traditional boundaries
between trust companies and RIAs are
dissolving.
MAKING CONVERGENCE HAPPEN
Cheetah’s journey mirrors the shifting
dynamics of wealth management, where
a client’s financial journey starts with
wealth accumulation and extends to
financial planning, investment management, and wealth preservation. As clients
demand a seamless experience, Cheetah’s integrated platform offers tools to
address every phase of this cycle.
And who better to explain a technology platform than the chief technology
officer? “Trust is just one component of
our broader focus on wealth,” says John
Watts, who wears that hat at Cheetah.
“We guide our clients from wealth accumulation through financial planning
THEWEALTHADVISOR.COM
and portfolio management, all the way
to preserving and transferring wealth to
the next generation.”
At the heart of this transformation
is Cheetah’s Moneytree software, a
financial planning tool tailored to RIAs.
This tool provides a gateway for advisors
to engage clients in the initial stages of
financial planning while setting the stage
for more sophisticated portfolio and
estate management solutions.
One of the most striking industry
trends is the convergence between RIAs
and trust companies. Increasingly, trust
companies are hiring talent from the
RIA space, bringing with them expectations for modern, tech-forward tools.
Conversely, RIAs are exploring opportunities to establish trust companies to
expand their service offerings for highnet-worth clients.
“RIAs are looking to offer trust capabilities, and trust companies are adopting
tools familiar to RIAs,” Watts points out.
“This convergence is driving us to continuously enhance our platform to cater to
both sides of the spectrum.”
Cheetah’s platform also addresses the
generational wealth transfer challenge.
With younger beneficiaries expecting
tech-savvy, online interactions, the
company has prioritized features like
online portals and workflow automation.
This tech-forward approach aligns with
the needs of a generation accustomed to
digital-first solutions.
Cheetah’s partnership with AssetMark
underscores its commitment to delivering innovative investment solutions. By
offering curated portfolios, AssetMark
allows Cheetah’s clients to diversify their
investment offerings and compete with
larger players in the market.
“Traditionally, managing portfolios
involved a do-it-yourself approach,”Watts
says.“Now, our clients can offer curated
portfolios, adding value for their clients
while simplifying operations.”
EFFICIENCY VIA OUTSOURCING
Cheetah’s business process outsourcing
(BPO) services are another pillar of its
strategy. As the financial industry grapples with an aging workforce and staffing shortages, outsourcing operations is
gaining traction.
“We’ve seen a significant shift in longterm software clients transitioning to BPO
clients,” Watts says.“They recognize the
value of outsourcing as they face challenges replacing retiring operations staff.”
Cheetah’s ideal clients are those with
ambitious growth objectives, whether
organic or by acquisitions. The company
has found success working with startup
trust organizations and growth-oriented
RIAs, providing them with a solid foundation to scale their operations.
“We thrive with clients who are in the
hunt,” says Watts. “Our platform is designed to support those aiming to grow
and expand their services.”
As Cheetah continues to evolve, it
exemplifies how technology can bridge
gaps between traditional and modern financial practices. For organizations navigating these changes, Cheetah offers
more than just technology—it provides
a partner in shaping the future of wealth
management.
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