Sep 27 2016
As many current self-directed investors show a strong interest in receiving more guidance from their firms, robo-advisors may provide a viable, low-cost alternative to going it alone or working with a traditional full-service advisor, according to the J.D. Power 2016 Canadian Self-Directed Investor Satisfaction Study,SM released today.
Robo-advisors provide automated portfolio management services at a relatively low cost. While several firms already offer such services, there still is limited investor awareness and understanding of this alternative.
“The robo-advisor market in Canada is still relatively small, but there are a number of factors likely to drive continued growth,” said Mike Foy, director of the wealth management practice at J.D. Power. “Millennials are now the largest segment of the workforce and are not only more comfortable than their parents with technology-based solutions, but they are also more likely to be looking for guidance as they accumulate wealth and their financial lives become more complex.”
According to study findings, the appeal of robo-advisors is highest among Millennial investors,1 66% of whom indicate they would be interested in robo-advice if their firm offered it, compared with 54% of all investors. The percentage of Millennials who indicate they have actually used a robo-advisor is nearly double that of the overall market (11% vs. 6%, respectively), and among those Millennials who have used a robo-advisor, 54% are either equally satisfied or more satisfied with their robo-advisor experience as they are with their primary self-directed firm.
The study also finds that despite all the attention on Canada’s Client Relationship Management (CRM2) regulatory initiative to drive investor transparency, little-to-no progress is evident in terms of increasing investor understanding of fees.
“The needle really hasn’t moved in five years,” Foy said. “In 2012, only 39% of self-directed investors said they completely understood the fees they were paying, and in 2016 it’s still 39%. Increased disclosure does not automatically create transparency. Firms need to ensure they are explaining information effectively, as we see a very strong correlation between understanding and satisfaction when it comes to fees.”
Following are additional findings of the 2016 study:
- Millennials Seeking Guidance: Among Millennial self-directed investors, 37% indicate they also have a secondary full-service investment account, compared with 24% of Boomers. Among Millennial who do not, 21% say they expect to need one in the future. They are also much more likely to use planning tools and attend educational seminars.
- Satisfaction Drives Referrals as Well as Loyalty: On average, investors in the mid-range of satisfaction (overall satisfaction scores of 700-799) make 1.3 net positive comments about their firm, while those in a higher range of satisfaction (800-899) more than double that at 2.7 net positive comments. Referrals double again among those in a satisfaction tier above 900, making an average of 5.2 net positive comments.
- Cross-Channel Opportunity: If dissatisfied with their fees, 59% of Millennials indicate they would switch from a full-service advisor to a self-directed provider, compared with 49% of Boomers who say the same.
Study Rankings
National Bank Direct Brokerage ranks highest in self-directed investor satisfaction for a second consecutive year, with a score of 774 (on a 1,000-point scale), and performs particularly well in the interaction, account information and product offering factors. Following in the rankings are BMO InvestorLine (762), CIBC Investor’s Edge (751) and RBC Direct Investing (751).