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Westwood: Get Ready For "Creative" Active Investment ManagementWestwood: Get Ready For "Creative" Active Investment Management

The Dallas-based investment management firm shared its outlook for how to differentiate and what financial advice will look like in the years to come.

Samuel Steinberger, Senior Technology Editor

December 18, 2019

Earlier this year, Michael Kitces observed that “Technology is the new distribution channel.” That presents product manufacturers with advantages and disadvantages, said Harvey Steele, head of intermediary distribution at Westwood Holdings Group.

On one hand, small firms have better, broader access to markets, he said. But using technology as a distributor can come at the cost of being a step or two away from the face-to-face relationship with core clients. Good data analysis can help solve that problem, he noted.

Steele is also bullish on active management in the coming years. That’s because low-return environments are actually more demanding from an investment management perspective than high-return ones, he said. Advisors need to get “creative” to differentiate.

About the Author

Samuel Steinberger

Samuel Steinberger

Senior Technology Editor, WealthManagement.com

Samuel Steinberger is Senior Technology Editor for Informa Connect’s WealthManagement.com. In his role, Mr. Steinberger provides the publication’s wealth and financial technology coverage.

Mr. Steinberger’s editorial insight and familiarity with technology accelerates Informa’s growth within the financial advisor and wealth management communities, providing in-depth news for advisors and financial professionals.

Before joining Informa Connect, Mr. Steinberger produced documentaries with former CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien at Soledad O’Brien Productions (formerly Starfish Media Group). He specialized in research, shooting and editing, as well as finding distinct voices to explain topics like mental health, poverty and racial divide.

Prior to joining Soledad O’Brien Productions, Mr. Steinberger managed multi-departmental technology projects for global legal technology leader Transperfect Legal Solutions. After obtaining his graduate degree in journalism from Columbia University, he completed his transition from technology management to media.

Mr. Steinberger is an award-winning journalist, author and researcher who has written, edited and reported for a number of publications, including The New York Times, Financial Planning, American Banker and PBS. He is founder of beverages publication Give Me Weird Drinks.

Mr. Steinberger’s technology analysis and insight has been featured in several books on virtual and augmented reality. Mr. Steinberger has received awards and recognition for his reporting and research, including the American Business Media's prestigious Jesse H. Neal Award for editorial excellence.

Follow on Twitter: @slsteinberger

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