Key Takeaways
- The global financial advisory services market size was valued at USD 142.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 187.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.9%.
- In the US, the financial planning and investment advice industry generated $56.4 billion in revenue in 2023.
- Europe’s wealth management market AUM stood at €28.5 trillion as of end-2022.
- US RIA industry revenue grew 12.3% to $129 billion in 2023.
- Average RIA firm revenue per advisor was $1.2 million in 2023.
- Profit margins for independent financial advisors averaged 28.5% in 2022.
- Number of HNW clients per advisor averaged 85 in the US in 2023.
- 68% of US investors with $1M+ AUM use financial advisors.
- Millennials represent 45% of new advisory clients in 2023.
- Employee turnover rate in financial advisory firms is 12.5% annually.
- 92% of RIAs outsource at least one back-office function.
- Average RIA firm size is 8.7 full-time employees in 2023.
- AI adoption in advisory firms rose to 48% in 2024.
- Robo-advisors manage $1.2 trillion AUM globally in 2023.
- 67% of advisors expect crypto integration by 2025.
The financial advisory industry continues growing globally as demand rises across diverse client segments.
Client Insights
- Number of HNW clients per advisor averaged 85 in the US in 2023.
- 68% of US investors with $1M+ AUM use financial advisors.
- Millennials represent 45% of new advisory clients in 2023.
- Average AUM per US household client is $1.8 million in 2023.
- 52% of women are primary decision-makers in household financial planning.
- UHNW individuals ($30M+) grew 7.5% to 626,600 globally in 2023.
- 74% of Gen Z investors seek advice on sustainable investing.
- Average age of financial advisor clients is 62 years in the US.
- 31% of advisory clients are under 50, up from 25% in 2020.
- HNWIs in Asia increased 8.2% to 7.6 million in 2023.
- 89% client satisfaction rate among robo-advisor hybrid users.
- Female HNWIs control 32% of global wealth, projected to 36% by 2025.
- 40% of advisors report increased demand from self-employed clients.
- Average number of advisors per client is 1.3 in multi-advisor relationships.
- 55% of clients prefer advisors specializing in retirement planning.
- ESG-focused clients grew 25% YoY among advisors' books.
- 28% of clients are digital natives demanding app-based advice.
- Total US RIA AUM reached $132 trillion in 2023.
- Average RIA firm has 142 clients with $450M AUM.
- 76% of advisors use CRM systems, managing avg 250 clients each.
Client Insights Interpretation
Financial Performance
- US RIA industry revenue grew 12.3% to $129 billion in 2023.
- Average RIA firm revenue per advisor was $1.2 million in 2023.
- Profit margins for independent financial advisors averaged 28.5% in 2022.
- Fee-based advisory revenue in the US reached 85% of total RIA revenue in 2023.
- Global wealth managers' operating expenses rose 6.2% YoY to €145 billion in 2022.
- UK IFA average firm profit was £450,000 in 2023.
- Cost-income ratio for European wealth managers averaged 72% in 2023.
- US broker-dealer advisory revenue hit $45 billion in 2023.
- Average annual fee for financial planning services in the US is 1.02% of AUM.
- Asia wealth management net new money inflows were $1.1 trillion in 2023.
- Total US financial advisor compensation averaged $145,000 in 2023.
- 65% of RIAs reported revenue growth over 10% in 2023.
- Hybrid RIA models generated 22% higher revenue per advisor than pure wirehouses.
- Global advisory services EBITDA margins reached 35% for top-quartile firms in 2023.
- Australian financial advisers' average practice revenue was AUD 850,000 in 2023.
- 42% of advisors plan to increase pricing in 2024 due to rising costs.
- US wealth management platforms revenue grew 8.7% to $12.5 billion in 2023.
- Average client retention rate for RIAs was 96.2% in 2023.
Financial Performance Interpretation
Industry Trends
- AI adoption in advisory firms rose to 48% in 2024.
- Robo-advisors manage $1.2 trillion AUM globally in 2023.
- 67% of advisors expect crypto integration by 2025.
- Sustainable investing AUM hit $35 trillion in 2023.
- Direct indexing AUM grew 40% to $500 billion in 2023.
- 82% of advisors plan to add digital tools in 2024.
- Wealthtech funding reached $4.5 billion in 2023.
- Hybrid advice models adopted by 51% of firms.
- Regulatory changes: 25% increase in SEC exams in 2023.
- Personalized advice via AI projected to cover 30% of clients by 2027.
- 59% of advisors see M&A as growth strategy.
- Tax optimization services demand up 33% post-TCJA.
- 71% predict rise in alternative investments advice.
- Digital client portals used by 88% of firms.
- Succession planning market for advisors to grow 15% CAGR.
- 44% of advisors focusing on behavioral finance tools.
- Global wealth transfer to millennials: $84 trillion by 2045.
Industry Trends Interpretation
Market Overview
- The global financial advisory services market size was valued at USD 142.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 187.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.9%.
- In the US, the financial planning and investment advice industry generated $56.4 billion in revenue in 2023.
- Europe’s wealth management market AUM stood at €28.5 trillion as of end-2022.
- The Asia-Pacific financial advisory market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 5.2% from 2024 to 2030 due to rising HNWIs.
- Number of registered investment advisors (RIAs) in the US reached 15,396 in 2023, up 4.5% YoY.
- UK financial advice market revenue hit £7.2 billion in 2022.
- Canada’s financial planning services industry revenue was CAD 12.8 billion in 2023.
- Australia’s personal financial advice sector AUM grew to AUD 1.2 trillion in 2023.
- Latin America financial advisory market valued at $18.4 billion in 2023, with Brazil leading at 45% share.
- Middle East wealth advisory AUM reached $2.1 trillion in 2023, driven by UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Market Overview Interpretation
Operational Metrics
- Employee turnover rate in financial advisory firms is 12.5% annually.
- 92% of RIAs outsource at least one back-office function.
- Average RIA firm size is 8.7 full-time employees in 2023.
- Compliance costs represent 15-20% of RIA operating expenses.
- 68% of firms use cloud-based portfolio management software.
- Time spent on client meetings averages 22 hours per week per advisor.
- Marketing spend averages 4.2% of revenue for RIAs.
- Average training hours per advisor annually: 35 hours.
- Tech stack costs average $150,000 per year for mid-size firms.
- 81% of firms have succession plans in place.
- Remote work adoption: 62% of advisors work hybrid.
- Client onboarding time averages 14 days.
- 55% use AI for compliance monitoring.
- Overhead costs as % of revenue: 35% for solo practices.
- 73% of firms conduct annual cybersecurity audits.
- Average merger/acquisition deal value for RIAs: $250M AUM.
Operational Metrics Interpretation
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