On 3 November, we announced our plans to acquire AdviserLogic, an Australian financial planning software platform that will broaden our product suite and expand our set of capabilities for independent financial advisers.

Over the past decade, AdviserLogic has built a loyal client base of nearly 1,500 independent financial advisers and support staff across approximately 550 practices. Built by advisers for advisers, AdviserLogic’s cloud-based financial planning software has some of the top market-leading satisfaction scores driven by a focus on the advice workflow and user experience.

Complimentary capabilities

Financial advice has never been more important, especially during this transitional period for the industry in Australia. Advisers are becoming more independent, client-centric and focused on delivering holistic financial advice. At the same time, they are under increasing pressure from greater compliance needs, regulatory scrutiny, and educational requirements.

Combined with Morningstar’s deep data, analytics and research, after the completion of the acquisition, AdviserLogic’s financial planning software will enable us to elevate our technology solutions for advisers—to support them in running an efficient and compliant practice; and helping them deliver improved outcomes for their clients with investor-centric advice.

Leveraging our strength in data and research

Data and research have always been at the core of everything we do, and that won’t change. Our research efforts extend beyond investment research with dedicated teams delivering insights and research on retirement, the value of goals-based planning, and the benefits of behavioural coaching. Most recently, we’re using the latest research from our behavioral scientists to help investors clients zero in on the goals that mean the most to them. Working alongside our software team, the behaviorual science team is focusing on delivering actionable, accessible workflows that supports adviser/client engagement and helps clients achieve their goals.

We will bring Morningstar’s depth and breadth of capabilities to bear to support advisers and the clients they serve in Australia—AdviserLogic will provide the platform for us to deliver on that commitment.

Looking ahead

We will look forward to welcoming around 80 colleagues from AdvsierLogic to the Morningstar family at the end of November when the transaction is expected to close. We’re excited about the potential of what we can achieve and how we can help advisers deliver quality, compliant advice; and empower investor success.