Robo-advisers want to be more than a one-trick pony

Robo-advisers leveraged tech and easy passive investing to bring customers on board. Now they are reaching for new markets as they strategise for growth

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Benjamin Cher

Published Fri, Nov 25, 2022 · 03:00 PM

Robo-advisers leveraged tech and easy passive investing to bring customers on board. ILLUSTRATION: SIMON ANG, BT
Michele Ferrario started Stashaway after feeling frustration from dealing with relationship managers at banks. PHOTO: STASHAWAY
Endowus co-founder Gregory Van says education is key in helping users understand what is happening with their money when they invest. PHOTO: ENDOWUS
Syfe founder Dhruv Arora says the expansion of products was based on customer requests. PHOTO: SYFE

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INVESTING today feels quick and painless – a few clicks, and access to a bewildering array of funds, equities and bonds opens up. Paralysed by uncertainty? Robo-advisers are on hand to shape a portfolio based on your risk appetite and themes.

Personal investing has taken on an automated twist ever since robo-advisers arrived in Singapore in 2016.

Riding a wave of growing preference for passive investing, these platforms came on the scene bearing set portfolios that offered exposure to different markets and themes, at a fraction of the cost of individually buying across multiple funds. Even portfolio rebalancing is passive, automated to prevent concentration of allocations.

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