U.S. Advisors Forecast 10.7% AUM Growth as AI and Wealth Transfer Reshape Competition
Updated
Updated · InvestmentNews · Jun 24
U.S. Advisors Forecast 10.7% AUM Growth as AI and Wealth Transfer Reshape Competition
2 articles · Updated · InvestmentNews · Jun 24
Summary
Natixis’ survey of 300 U.S. advisors found they expect assets under management to grow 10.7% over the next year after 12.5% growth in the prior 12 months, with annual growth then rising to 11.2% over three years.
AI is central to that reset: 35% expect AI-powered self-directed tools to become their biggest competitive threat within five years, while 76% say advisors adopting AI will gain an edge and 58% say implementation is harder than expected.
Wealth transfer remains a major vulnerability, with advisors retaining 75% of a spouse’s assets on transition but only 56% of heirs’ assets and 44% when serving both parent and child; 39% increasingly fear losing assets in those events.
Market turbulence is the nearer-term pressure point: 89% expect more volatility from geopolitical uncertainty, 64% say clients want to hold more cash, and 73% cite emotional reactions to headlines as clients’ biggest investing mistake.
Advisors are responding by emphasizing personal relationships, customization and next-generation outreach—74% are focused on capturing younger investors’ assets, and 52% think access to private markets will become table stakes.
As AI offers low-cost advice, how can human advisors prove their value to skeptical heirs?
Beyond personal relationships, what new skills must advisors learn to survive the industry's reset?
U.S. Wealth Management 2026: Navigating $22 Trillion Generational Transfer, AI Transformation, and Evolving Client Demands
Overview
The U.S. wealth management industry is undergoing major changes, driven by uneven but sustained asset growth and a massive generational wealth transfer. As trillions move to younger, digitally fluent investors and women gain greater financial power, client expectations are shifting toward immediacy, transparency, and values-driven advice. At the same time, rapid advances in AI are transforming how firms operate, offering new efficiencies but highlighting the continued importance of human relationships. To succeed, firms are adopting hybrid models that blend technology with empathy, focusing on holistic financial planning and behavioral coaching to meet the evolving needs of next-generation clients.