Applying AI in Layers: A Practical Guide for RIAs and Wealth Platforms
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the financial services landscape but for many RIA leaders it still feels like a black box. What’s hype? What’s real? And more importantly: How can it help our advisors and clients today?
At Polymer Growth Partners, we believe the best way to think about AI is not as a single tool, but as a set of capabilities that can be applied intentionally across the layers of your technology ecosystem. This layered view provides clarity on where AI creates value, how to adopt it safely, and how to align innovation with your firm’s strategy and risk tolerance.
🔹 Layer 1: Core Infrastructure
Predictive trade execution
Automated rebalancing optimization
Data reconciliation & anomaly detection
Fraud detection in custodial data feeds
AI in core infrastructure is largely behind the scenes but powerful. It enables cleaner data, faster execution, and fewer operational errors. For firms running large books or multiple custodians, this can drastically reduce back-office load and improve accuracy.
What to consider:
AI requires access to clean, normalized data. Firms must evaluate how well their custodial and PMS infrastructure supports structured integration and machine-readable formats.
🔹 Layer 2: Advisor Workflow & Enablement
Automated meeting prep: Summarize client notes, portfolio history, and to-dos
Natural language reporting: Ask “How did my client perform last quarter?” and get a human-readable answer
Smart CRM prompts: Suggest next best actions or follow-ups
Email and message drafting: Create personalized client messages based on plan updates or market conditions
This is one of the highest-impact areas for advisor productivity. When used responsibly, AI can free advisors from low-value tasks, enabling more time for planning, communication, and business development.
What to consider:
Start small. Look for AI features embedded in tools your advisors already use. Focus on adoption, not disruption.
🔹 Layer 3: Client Experience & Engagement
Chatbots for client FAQs or onboarding help
Personalized performance commentary
Automated scheduling and reminders
Voice-enabled account access or portfolio summaries
Intelligent content delivery based on client interests and financial goals
Clients increasingly expect the ease-of-use and personalization they get from tech platforms like Apple or Amazon. AI can help RIAs deliver a more modern, intuitive experience without rebuilding from scratch.
What to consider:
Ensure transparency. Always let clients know when they’re interacting with AI and maintain access to human support.
🔹 Layer 4: Oversight, Risk & Cybersecurity
Anomaly detection for cybersecurity threats
Automated surveillance of advisor communications (for compliance)
AI-powered vendor risk monitoring
Real-time alerting on policy violations
AI helps security and compliance teams monitor at scale, reduce false positives, and identify real threats faster. This is particularly critical for growing firms with lean ops teams.
What to consider:
Work with partners who specialize in financial services. Not all AI surveillance tools are built for regulatory-grade environments.
🔹 Layer 5: Strategic Alignment & Innovation
AI-readiness assessments for internal tools
AI-powered benchmarking against industry peers
Scenario modeling for M&A, succession, or hiring
Innovation labs or AI pilot programs to test new ideas
In this layer, AI becomes a strategic capability and more than just a tool. Firms that lead will be those who systematically explore how AI can reshape their service model, workforce, and client value proposition.
What to consider:
AI strategy shouldn’t be isolated to IT. It needs C-suite sponsorship and a framework that balances innovation with risk and ethics.
Start Intentionally, Scale Strategically
AI isn’t a silver bullet but when applied intentionally across the layers of your technology stack, it can become a force multiplier for advisor effectiveness, client engagement, and operational scale.
At Polymer Growth Partners, we help RIAs and platforms evaluate, adopt, and govern AI technologies within the context of their full tech strategy.
📩 Ready to explore where AI can make the biggest impact in your firm?
Let’s talk: www.polymergrowth.com/contact