Hi Pratik and thank you for your comment.

You pose a very interesting question about how these tech based investment management platforms will have to evolve, or adapt, to meet the needs, traditions, and expectations of their new clients in each local area. Any language gaps will also need to be addressed.

My assumption is that when moving into a new area or when servicing new clients, these firms will have to undertake a great deal of study of local history, customs and traditions, as well as their clients’ money management habits and skills. This will need to be done in order to understand how advisory and investment services will need to be adapted to conform to their clients’ needs.

A good part of our online forum: “Robo-Advisors: Opportunity or Threat?” (which can be seen right here starting the morning of Tuesday November 18th) should address how these new technologically advanced platforms will need to evolve over time and what these changes will mean for the rest of the investment management industry. Please join us here on the 18th and if the conversation turns to advancement and changes in advisory services or the expansion of robo-advisor firms outside of North America, I will present your question to the panel.

Thank you again for your interest. Hope to see more from you on the 18th.

Bob