Monday morning briefing – January 14, 2019
Bank and fintech partnerships took a big step forward in 2018. Expected trends for the hedge fund industry in 2019. How to improve the customer experience during digital onboarding. Here’s what matters to millionaires’ children. And much more in this week’s briefing.
Economic/industry news
International Economic Data Snapshot – includes aggregated data of the worldwide economy: Snapshot: International economic data
U.S. inflation rate falls to 1.9% in December: US consumer prices drop for the first time in nine months
The Bank of Canada maintains its benchmark rate at 1.75%: Bank of Canada holds steady as oil slump kills urgency for hike path
The U.S. Federal Reserve Board can take its time with future rate increases: Fed can be ‘patient and flexible’ with rate policy: Powell
Proposal on risk ratings for alternative investments: AIMA, CAIA propose new risk ratings for alternatives
Seeking more ESG fixed income solutions: Advisors say they want more ESG fixed-income options
Fitch to produce data showing how ESG factors affect a companies’ credit rating: Fitch Ratings launches ESG relevance scores to show impact of ESG on credit
RBC and BlackRock to partner in ETF offerings: RBC iShares is now Canada’s largest ETF provider
Regal Assets enters Canada: US alternative investment firm makes Canadian debut
Could ETFs cause systemic risks in a market downturn?: Bear market may increase risks in ETF sector
On the pulse – New frontiers in fintech
Bank and fintech partnerships took a big step forward in 2018: 2018: The year that banks and fintech started to figure things out
TD introduces Clari to its mobile app users: TD integrates chatbot into app
With the payments industry expected to grow, here is how AI can help: How will artificial intelligence ultimately benefit the financial services sector?
Revenues from robotic process automation in banking expected to grow by over 400% by 2023: Robotic process automation revenues in banking and financial services to reach $1.2bn by 2023
Financial services executives believe that big tech companies could enter the retail banking space: Two-thirds of financial decision-makers believe tech giants will offer retail banking in five years
Here is what could be in store for the payments industry in 2019: It’s all about convenience: the payments industry in 2019
The trends you need to know in wealthtech: Wealthtech trends to watch in 2019
The U.S. is falling behind in financial services technology: The US is losing the AI, blockchain & fintech arms race (but is crypto-friendly)
Understanding digital transformation: What is digital transformation in business: Everything you need to know
How to improve the customer experience during digital onboarding: Digital customer onboarding – are you doing it wrong?
Digital transformation slow for financial services firms: Digital transformation challenges firms: survey
Some cryptocurrency predictions for 2019: Crypto forecasts for 2019
News and notes (U.S.)
A look at the hedge fund industry in December: State of the industry – December, 2018
Hedge funds’ performance weak in December: Hedge funds down 0.82 per cent in December
A look at hedge fund winners & losers in 2018 (video): Hedge fund winners and losers in 2018
Expected trends for the hedge fund industry in 2019: Top hedge fund industry trends for 2019
Jeff Vinik to reopen hedge fund: Investing titan Jeff Vinik to reopen hedge fund: ‘The fire in my belly still burns’
Pershing Square starts 2019 strong: Ackman’s Pershing Square fund powers ahead in new year
Private equity year in review: 2018 in review: Top 5 global PE deals, exits & funds
Just over $130 billion was invested in VC deals in 2018: Venture capital investing soared to a record in 2018
Bitwise submits application for bitcoin ETF: Bitwise hopes to crack SEC code with proposed bitcoin ETF
U.S. money market funds gaining assets amid market volatility: U.S. money fund assets rise above $3 trillion for the first time since 2010
Predicting U.S. stock performance: The 30-year outlook for U.S. stocks
High-net-worth topics
Here is what is important to millionaires’ children: What the children of millionaires value most
Why a market-neutral strategy could work in the current market environment: Is it time to put your investments in neutral?
For the high-net-worth, consider these asset protection strategies: Asset protection of high net worth individuals
Polls & surveys – What financials are saying
Higher rates and volatile markets will affect Canadian’s wealth in 2019 (RBC): Expect wealth creation, homeownership challenges in 2019: RBC
Advisors should take some time to discuss bear markets with their clients (Hartford): Warning to advisors: Your clients don’t always listen to you
49% of Canadians do not have any emergency savings (Refresh Financial): 53% of Canadians live paycheque to paycheque
Women are worried about not having enough money for retirement expenses (HSBC): Women more worried about financial security in retirement than men: survey