Almost 90% of financial planners want to use a wider range of digital channels to reach clients, a survey by market researcher Investment Trends reveals.

More than half of the 804 planners questioned in May rely mostly on email newsletters to keep in touch, and 35% provide online access to portfolios.

“The younger generation of planners are driving the move to an interactive digital client experience, with many already conducting client meetings online,” Research Director Recep Peker said.

“They expect tablet-enabled client meetings and the use of interactive modelling tools during client meetings to become the norm.”

Investment Trends says the onus is on the industry and its technology platform partners to evolve, because rapid technological advances have raised consumer expectations.

“Platform and software providers therefore cannot afford to rest on their laurels and must be ever cognisant of the evolving expectations of planners and their clients,” Mr Peker said.

“From seamless mobile and tablet functionality to paperless client authorities, providers have to future-proof their functionality and tools from both a design and a delivery perspective.”