Scale with data precision

A CIO’s playbook to data modernization in wealth and asset management

Key execution findings

Legacy data stacks drag advisor performance and inflate risk. Batch-based updates, email-driven approvals, and shadow spreadsheets slow every decision and bury insights under technical debt. Replatforming sounds tempting but costs time firms don’t have. This tactical playbook gives CIOs a phased modernization path—one that delivers real-time insight, measurable KPIs, and audit-ready confidence without disruption. Each phase builds the foundation for AI-ready analytics that elevate client service and strengthen governance discipline.

54%

of financial institutions cite data silos as their top barrier to innovation.*

68%

of firms plan to raise cloud budgets this year to improve agility and KPI visibility.*

98%

of organizations incur hidden cross-AZ transfer charges due to poor governance visibility.*

33%

already spend more than $12 million annually on public cloud infrastructure.*

NOV. 18, 2025

3 Min Read

This playbook defines a phased, outcome-first approach to modernization. Each phase delivers measurable results: faster reconciliation, shorter statement cycles, and improved data confidence across advisory teams. By tying each execution step to KPIs like reporting accuracy and compliance readiness, CIOs can demonstrate visible progress to boards and regulators. The result is a resilient, AI-ready foundation that positions firms to capture growth with transparency and precision.

Why modernization matters now

Wealth and asset-management leaders confront a dual pressure: clients expect personalized, instantaneous service while regulators demand flawless audit trails. Outdated data platforms can no longer deliver either. Advisors lose hours reconciling spreadsheets and toggling between fragmented tools just to serve a single client. The result—slower responsiveness, higher cost-to-serve, and increased risk exposure—directly erodes growth and trust.

How to execute modernization in phases

The tactical playbook replaces high-risk migrations with a measured, KPI-driven roadmap. Phase 1 establishes visibility and access control. Phase 2 moves critical data into governed cloud storage. Phase 3 unlocks real-time integration, powering intraday insights. Phase 4 modernizes applications, and Phase 5 safely retires legacy systems. Each phase is measurable—reducing audit time, accelerating reconciliation, and proving ROI before advancing.

What results to expect

Firms see reporting cycles shrink from days to hours and compliance evidence delivered in minutes. Advisors gain live portfolio visibility, while cost savings from decommissioned infrastructure fund new innovation. With trusted, timely data, CIOs finally connect modernization directly to shareholder value. This disciplined, incremental path transforms data from a bottleneck into a competitive edge and lays the groundwork for AI-driven growth.