Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Wealth firms pursue AI, but few develop agentic systems
Many wealth management companies are trying to use artificial intelligence.
However, very few are developing agentic AI, which can perform more complex tasks.
The study says companies may need to redesign how they work to get the full benefits of AI.
Most firms still focus mainly on saving time and money.
They are not measuring enough whether AI creates new revenue or improves client value.
The study says companies may also be underinvesting in their own customer data and insights.
Nearly 80% believe the strongest future firms will combine AI with human experts and outside partners.
Confidence in AI readiness was much higher in APAC and North America than in Europe.
The research used AI-generated personas, with human experts helping design, interpret and validate the study.
A HCLTech study found that 98% of wealth management firms are pursuing AI, while fewer than 7% are building agentic AI.
Although 84% of firms believe their operating models need fundamental redesign, only 12% measure new revenue generated by that redesign.
The study identified ambition, execution and strategy blind spots that can limit AI’s impact on growth and client value.
Nearly 80% of respondents said future industry leaders will combine AI, human expertise and ecosystem partners effectively.
AI-readiness confidence was highest in APAC at 89%, followed by North America at 84% and Europe at 38.3%.
- Who
- HCLTech and executives from wealth management firms participating in its study.
- What
- The study examined AI adoption, agentic AI development and readiness to redesign wealth management operating models.
- When
- The articles do not specify when the study was conducted.
- Where
- The study compared APAC, North America and Europe.
- Why
- It aimed to assess whether wealth firms are moving beyond AI experimentation toward operating-model transformation, growth and improved client value.
- AI pursuit
- 98% of wealth management firms are pursuing AI.
- Agentic AI development
- Fewer than 7% are building agentic AI.
- Operating-model redesign
- 84% believe fundamental redesign is required to fully capture AI’s potential.
- Revenue measurement
- Only 12% measure new revenue generated by operating-model redesign.
- Future leadership
- Nearly 80% say future leaders will combine AI, human expertise and ecosystem partners.
- Regional confidence
- AI-readiness confidence was 89% in APAC, 84% in North America and 38.3% in Europe.
- Research method
- The study used synthetic research with AI-generated personas and human expert involvement in design, contextualisation and validation.