As a financial advisor, managing all your clients and keeping track of their info can be a real challenge. But it doesn’t have to be. CRM software is here to save the day. CRM systems for financial services have features like contact management, document management, and mobile access to client information, to help you strengthen client relationships and provide better customer service.
Cloud based CRM platforms tailored for independent advisors make it easy to track customer data for wealth management and financial planning. Read on to learn about the top CRM solutions and CRM software for financial advisors to effortlessly manage your practice.
The importance of CRM software for financial advisors
As an independent financial advisor, managing your client relationships is key to growing your business. A customer relationship management (CRM) solution built specifically for financial advisors offers many ways to streamline your business and help you provide top-notch service to your clients.
A CRM helps you stay organized
With a financial services CRM, all your client information is available in one place. Store contact details, notes from meetings, investment holdings, financial goals, and more. With everything centralized, you’ll never scramble to find important documents or details about a client again.
A CRM can improve productivity
CRM software is designed to automate time-consuming tasks like data entry, online scheduling, and emailing. Use templates to quickly log calls and meetings, set reminders for important deadlines and follow ups, and integrate with your email to schedule meetings in a few clicks. These time-savers let you focus on high-value work like developing financial plans and investment strategies for your clients.
A CRM can strengthen client relationships
A CRM with a customer portal makes it easy to stay in touch with your clients. Share messages, schedule meetings, provide account updates and tax documents, and gather additional information through online forms. Clients will appreciate your transparency and responsiveness. Strong, long-term client relationships are key to success as a financial advisor, so make the most of your CRM’s relationship management tools.
A CRM makes client information accessible from anywhere
Cloud-based CRM solutions let you manage your client information from anywhere, on any internet-connected device. Whether you’re in the office, on the road meeting clients, or even on vacation, you’ll have full access to client records and be able to provide great service whenever needed. For today’s on-the-go financial advisor, mobility and flexibility are vital.
Must-have features in a CRM for financial advisors
There are many CRM solutions on the market, but they aren’t all built for financial advisors. If you want to provide the best service to your clients, you need the right software with vital features that help you manage client relationships, streamline business processes, and grow your practice.
Here are some must-have features to look for in a financial advisor CRM.
Contact management
Look for a system that lets you track personal info, communication preferences, key life events, and more for each client. It should have automated workflows that help you organize client contact details in one place. With a cloud-based CRM, you’ll have this info at your fingertips wherever you are.
Document management
Make sure your financial advisor CRM comes with tools to securely store and share important documents like client profiles, statements, contracts, and plans. Choose a system with permission controls, so you can easily collaborate with clients and staff while keeping sensitive data private.
Task management
Choose a system with task management features like reminders, calendars, and project planning tools tailored to a financial advisor’s needs, which will make sure that you keep track of your to-do list and never miss a deadline or follow-up call.
Reporting and analytics
Robust reporting and analytics provide insights into your practice so you can make data-driven decisions. Look for a CRM that offers reports on client accounts, service requests, opportunities, and more. Choose a system with customizable reports and dashboards, so you can monitor the metrics that matter most to you.
Integrations
Integrations help you avoid entering data in multiple places and provide a seamless experience for you and your clients, so look for a CRM with an open API and lots of out-of-the-box integrations. You want a financial advisor CRM that integrates with other software you use often, like portfolio management systems, planning tools, and client portals.
Mobile app
In today’s fast-paced world, you need a CRM with a mobile app so you can access client data and manage your practice on the go. Look for a mobile-friendly CRM system with an intuitive app for both iOS and Android that provides full or close to full functionality no matter where you are, so you can serve clients whenever and wherever they need you.
Implementing a CRM: tips for financial advisors
Choosing the best CRM for financial advisors is only part of the process. If you want to make the most of your CRM, you need to follow best practices to implement it effectively. Here are some tips for implementing your CRM into your financial advisor business.
Choose a CRM that’s easy to use
There are many cloud-based CRM systems for financial services, but some of them can be excessively technical and require a lot of expertise. Look for one with an intuitive interface and simple onboarding processes, and a vendor that provides strong customer support and ongoing guidance and training.
Get your team on board
For a CRM to be effective, everyone in your practice needs to use it consistently. Provide training for all staff, and set clear expectations for how data should be entered and managed within the system. Consider assigning a “CRM champion” to help others and ensure high adoption.
Keep your data up to date
The key benefit of a CRM is having a centralized source of truth for your client and prospect information. Make it a habit to record key details like birthdays, anniversaries, meetings, and follow-ups in your CRM right away. Set a regular schedule to review and update client profiles, to keep information as current as possible.
Leverage your CRM to improve service
A CRM contains a wealth of information that can help you better serve your clients. Use it to set reminders before important life events or to suggest financial products and services at optimal times based on a client’s financial situation and goals.
The right CRM could be the boost your financial advisor business is waiting for
CRM systems provide the perfect solution to help financial advisors like you manage client relationships and provide excellent customer service. By implementing the right CRM software for financial advisors, you’ll be equipped to strengthen client relationships, streamline workflows, and grow your independent practice. With the right CRM in place, you’ll gain efficiencies to help your independent advisory firm thrive.
