Account onboarding specialist Agreement Express recently inked a large contract with Florida-based Independent Financial Partners (IFP).
The deal comes in advance of IFP launching its broker-dealer technology that will allow advisors to run their business on their own. IFP will leverage Agreement Express’ Automated Broker Transitions platform. The technology will enable advisors to digitally pre-populate new account forms. Once clients sign the form and it has been approved by the compliance team, the account will automatically be opened at one of IFP’s four custodians: Pershing, Charles Schwab, Fidelity or TD Ameritrade. Overall, Agreement Express will help transition clients in a matter of days instead of months, will provide a complete audit trail, and will minimize human form-filling errors.
“Generally, hybrid RIAs don’t have the latitude or financials to be able to implement expensive technologies that otherwise would positively impact advisors’ businesses,” said IFP CEO William Hamm. “On the other hand, independent broker-dealers not only have control of their own destiny, but they are also able to better control and enhance their revenue lines. As such, IFP has been able to invest in systems to support the advisor experience we’ve always wanted to provide.”
Founded in 2001, Agreement Express helps financial services companies create and manage a consistent onboarding experience across channels, as well as leverage consumer data to create a personalized user experience. In addition to its Automated Broker Transitions Platform, the company also offers Risk Scorecard for Payments Underwriting and One-Click Merchant Onboarding.
At FinovateFall 2016, Agreement Express debuted the newest version of its wealth management offering, an onboarding solution that helps advisers interact with clients in a nonintrusive, compliant manner. Earlier this spring, the company received an undisclosed amount of funding, boosting its total to more than $1 million. Among the company’s clients are National Bank of Canada, Questrade, and M&T Bank. Mike Gardner is CEO.