State of the wealth management industry 2025 research report

Tech is a top focus for wealth management executives in 2025

Wealth management leaders know technology can make or break their firm’s success. While executives are optimistic about revenue growth in 2025, they’re also concerned about making the best technology investments, and they sense that rapid technology advancements are likely to play a role in firm ownership changes down the road.

Wipfli surveyed 109 wealth management executives to inform our second annual “State of the wealth management industry” report. Technology was the common theme across discussions about growth, succession and strategy.

Of the wealth management executives we surveyed, we learned:

• Leaders are bullish about the coming year.
• The top three concerns for 2025 are cybersecurity, regulatory compliance and implementing the right technology tools. 
• Leaders said automation, AI, enhanced data privacy tools and digital apps are having a large impact on business practices.
• Most respondents are still in the consideration stage when it comes to AI. Only 13% have active AI pilot projects.
• 52% of leaders said technological advancement was highly likely to drive future ownership changes.
• When it comes to succession planning, leaders would like to see an internal transition to employees, shareholders or family members, instead of a third-party sale.

Download the full report for more insights and stats.