Wealth Advisory Moves Toward Fee-Based Models as AI Increases Client Transparency

AI has made market data, product information and portfolio insights widely accessible, increasing transparency and raising client expectations. In this environment, traditional advisory models are under growing pressure and wealth advisers are facing a defining test.

Those who have relied primarily on relationship management, without delivering practical and measurable value, may struggle to remain relevant. A winnowing effect is taking place, as clients become more informed and selective.

The advisers who endure will be those who add real value across the full financial planning journey. This includes the ability to interpret abundant information, address complex and often multinational client needs, and select suitable products with minimal hidden costs. Advisory competence today is defined not by access to information, but by judgment, structure and execution.

In this new reality, the choice of platform has become critical to business sustainability. A robust wealth management platform is no longer a supporting tool — it is the foundation that enables advisers to operate efficiently, manage complexity and deliver consistent advice at scale. Platforms that lack transparency or alignment with client interests risk becoming obstacles rather than enablers.

At the same time, the industry is shifting away from purely transactional advisory models. As information asymmetry diminishes, fee-based advisory structures with clear disclosures are increasingly seen as more sustainable and client-centric. In the AI era, advisers can no longer obscure information that technology makes readily available.

iFAST Global Markets HK (iGM), part of iFAST Corporation Ltd., has adopted a fee-based model with transparent fee schedules, comprehensive product information and a hybrid digital approach. This model aligns adviser and client interests while providing clients with greater visibility and control over their financial decisions.

Through the iGM platform and mobile app, investors can clearly view their asset allocation, product choices and associated costs, strengthening accountability and trust.

“AI has changed the balance of power in wealth management,” said Kei Chow, General Manager of iFAST Global Markets HK. He adds,

As the industry continues to evolve, advisers who embrace transparency, alignment and strong operational foundations will be better positioned to build resilient, future-ready practices.

Featured image edited by Fintech News Hong Kong based on image by iFAST

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