Insights from the annual Market Trends panel

Each year, Trading Central gathers a handful of expert and unbiased critics from the front line of the financial industry to offer an insightful glimpse at how recent events are driving change. Key topics on the minds of today’s investors and online brokers include data security, regulation changes, ethically responsible portfolios and global investing.

A look at the shifting needs of investors

Attendees of this month’s Online Broker Summit had the pleasure of hearing Mike Foy from J.D. Power speak on recent shifts in the industry from the perspective of today’s investors. Leveraging data from last month’s Canadian survey, Mike offered insight on how today's disruptors are shaping the industry, newly formed segments and what brokers can do to leverage these as new opportunities.

A look at investment behaviour in the APAC area

Last month, Recognia and Trading Central hosted their third Annual Australian CEO Roundtable at the O Bar in Sydney. Those attending had the pleasure of seeing Investment Trends CEO, Michael Blomfield, deliver an insightful presentation on trends in the retail online broker industry.

A great user experience reduces attrition, while increasing client loyalty and share of wallet. Meaning it’s important to get it right. Moderated by Amelia Young, this expert panel features Adam Hulnick, Andrew Turnbull, Brett Calzada and Eric Lennert. The discussion looked beyond theory to provide practical takeaways you can implement in your business.

The needs of consumers in a world of volatile markets

Each year, online broker executives look forward to the Investment Trends annual global survey for lessons learned across the globe about the online investing business and client experience. At this year’s Online Broker Summit, they enjoyed a preview of the survey findings, presented by Investment Trends CEO, Michael Blomfield along with his firm’s interpretation of the retail investing landscape.

View from the Critics and Research Community

Moderated by Jamie McClelland, the Market Trends panel featured industry experts Rob Carrick, Ryan Szakacs, and Theresa Carey. The panel explored the retail investor landscape and what opportunities exist for firms to deepen their client experience. What are the key trends in North America? How can online brokers remove friction for investors and provide a smooth user experience?

Insights from a digital publisher

Presented by Ronnie Jansson, Director of Data Science at Investopedia, this keynote examined investor behavior driven by big data and how these insights can be incorporated to activate accounts, while building digital client relationships with personalized experiences.

Penetrating the most profitable asset class for brokers

Of the vast number of people trading online, only a small percentage are choosing investments outside of stocks or managed products. Options are the most under-penetrated yet profitable asset class for brokers. Long considered a complex product, the question is how to allow more investors to reap the benefits offered by options. Tom Sosnoff of tastytrade moderated the panel exploring what it takes to do it well from viewpoint of education and online/mobile. Panelists included John Carter, Matt Wesche, Patty Schuler and Robert Kmec.

Vice Chairman of TD Wealth, John See, moderated the 2015 panel discussion with key industry veterans that are close to the needs and trends of retail investors at large, including commentators from Barron's, The Globe and Mail, and Corporate Insight.

Leaders in online brokerage and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) discuss how we might harness this abundant asset category and move it forward for mutual benefit with investors, covering ETF uses, safeguarding reputation and the choice overload problem.

Recognia's Kathryn St. John joined a panel discussion with three industry UX leaders about the changing roles and relationships of User Experience (UX) and Client Experience (CX) and the related business imperatives for online brokers.

The 2015 RETAIL BROKER SUMMIT in Toronto opened with a keynote presentation by Investment Trends' Pawel Rokicki offering an insightful preview of their annual global online broker survey.