“Any process that can be automated, will be automated, and with that automation will come price competition,” said Will Trout, a senior analyst at Celent, focused on technology strategy and innovation in the securities, wealth management and banking industries.

Trout said investment management will ultimately “re-emerge as a focus of value, as advisors slice and dice models, multi-strategy funds” and other investments and deliver higher levels of “mass customization” to clients.