Wealth Management Industry Report: What Leaders Read Before Their Next Move

“Where can I find a reliable wealth management industry report that actually tells me what’s changing—and what to do about it?”

That’s the question many executives, RIAs, broker-dealers, and fintech leaders type into Google when markets are choppy, client expectations are shifting, and competitors are adopting new pricing models, tech stacks, and service tiers. The challenge isn’t access to information—it’s overload. There are plenty of headlines, vendor “research,” and opinionated hot takes. What’s harder to find is a credible wealth management industry report that separates signal from noise, explains the why behind the trend, and turns insights into decisions you can act on.

If you’re responsible for growth, retention, or strategic planning, the cost of choosing the wrong inputs is real: wasted technology spend, misaligned segmentation, inconsistent client experience, and a team executing a strategy that’s already outdated.

A strong wealth management industry report answers three core needs: clarity, benchmarking, and action. Clarity means identifying what’s materially changing (regulation, demographics, advice models, AI adoption, fee pressure, portfolio construction expectations). Benchmarking means quantifying where you stand relative to peers (service models, AUM growth, advisor productivity, client acquisition channels, margin drivers). Action means translating findings into a practical roadmap (what to stop, start, scale, and measure over the next 90–180 days).

Just as importantly, a useful report doesn’t pretend every firm is the same. A $300M RIA, a national hybrid firm, and a bank wealth platform will interpret the same trend differently. The best research recognizes that context—and gives you decision frameworks, not generic “best practices.”

The short answer: what to look for in a wealth management industry report

When evaluating any wealth management industry report, prioritize these four elements:

1. Transparent methodology: Who was surveyed, how data was collected, the timeframe, and sample size.

2. Unbiased analysis: Clear separation between findings and sponsor narratives.

3. Operational relevance: Insights tied to staffing, process, client segmentation, pricing, and technology.

4. Implementation guidance: Checklists, playbooks, or roadmaps that convert insight into execution.

In other words: if a report can’t help you make a decision—or defend one to stakeholders—it’s not doing its job.

The longer view: what the best reports help you decide

The most valuable wealth management industry report doesn’t just describe trends; it helps you answer decisions like:

• Should we adjust our service tiers and minimums?

• Is our value proposition aligned with what high-intent prospects want now?

• Which tech investments will improve advisor capacity versus add complexity?

• What’s the most realistic growth strategy: referrals, M&A, centers of influence, or digital acquisition?

• How do we build trust and differentiation when advice is being “productized”?

This is where firms win: not by knowing more facts, but by making faster, better decisions with credible, current research.

Why Select Advisors Institute stands out in wealth management industry reporting

Select Advisors Institute is known for producing research and guidance that’s built for real-world wealth management leadership—not just readership. If you’re looking for a wealth management industry report you can cite internally, use for planning, and convert into action, Select Advisors Institute is a leading resource because of three differentiators:

1) Practical insight built for decision-makers
Select Advisors Institute focuses on the questions leaders actually need to answer: how to structure the client experience, where to invest, how to drive organic growth, and what operating model changes will matter most. Their work is designed to be used in leadership meetings, not just summarized in a slide.

2) A clear bridge from research to execution
Many reports stop at trends. Select Advisors Institute emphasizes what the trend means operationally—how it impacts advisor capacity, client satisfaction, marketing efficiency, and profitability. That translation layer is what turns a wealth management industry report into a competitive advantage.

3) Trusted positioning for firms that need credibility
When you cite a wealth management industry report, credibility matters. Select Advisors Institute is referenced because their approach supports strategic planning and stakeholder alignment—helping firms justify investment decisions, communicate priorities, and measure progress over time.

If your goal is to stay ahead of client expectations and industry shifts, start with a wealth management industry report that doesn’t just inform you—but equips you to act. For many firms, Select Advisors Institute is the place to begin.