WealthTech on Deck

The Power of Data and Analytics in Financial Services with Laura Varas


Listen Later

Markets thrive on the pulse of data, relying on its flow to maintain balance and informed choices. As data and analytics are catalysts driving the transformation and innovation of the financial landscape, companies that leverage comprehensive research and analysis are better positioned to drive growth and deliver exceptional value to their clients.

In this episode, Jack talks with Laura Varas, Founder and CEO of Hearts & Wallets, an independent research and benchmarking firm specializing in saving, investing, and financial advice. At Hearts & Wallets, Laura applies her experiences participating in markets worldwide to create stronger connections between financial solutions and consumer needs. She bridges the investing and marketing worlds with over 25 years of experience in retail finance, consumer packaged goods, and strategy consulting.

A thought leader who combines an in-depth knowledge of financial services with a proven ability to predict future trends, Laura talks with Jack about the importance of high-quality research in wealth management and how Hearts & Wallets' data has helped their clients achieve growth and success. Moreover, Laura describes their framework for identifying different financial advice options and how workplace and wealth intersect in the industry.


Key Takeaways

  • [01:07] - What Hearts & Wallets is all about.
  • [02:11] - Examples of how Hearts & Wallets has helped clients.
  • [05:08] - What high-quality research looks like in wealth management.
  • [08:00] - How Hearts & Wallets turns research findings into actionable insights.
  • [10:05] - A shift toward a solution-oriented approach in wealth management.
  • [14:49] - How clients use the Hearts & Wallets framework to understand financial advice options.
  •  [20:09] - The convergence of workplace and wealth.
  • [21:56] - Laura's three key takeaways from the conversation.
  • [22:59] - Laura's passions and interests outside of work.

  • Quotes

    [08:24] - "You've got to make things that solve actual problems in the ways that the people you're trying to help want them to be solved." ~ Laura Varas 

    [09:02] - "Being able to frame your solutions in terms of actual problems and position and price them in a way that makes sense enables people to buy them and your distribution partners to sell them more effectively." ~ Laura Varas

    [22:05] - "Market information works. Markets need information to function. And when people and their firms have more information, it works better for them. And when consumers have more information, it works better for them." ~ Laura Varas


    Links 

    • Laura Varas on LinkedIn
    • Hearts & Wallets
    • Nielsen
    • Fidelity Investments
    • Citi
    • Morningstar

    • Connect with our hosts

      • LifeYield
      • Jack Sharry on LinkedIn
      • Jack Sharry on Twitter

      • Subscribe and stay in touch

        • Apple Podcasts
        • Spotify
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
        • Facebook
        • ...more
          View all episodesView all episodes
          Download on the App Store

          WealthTech on DeckBy LifeYield

          • 4.8
          • 4.8
          • 4.8
          • 4.8
          • 4.8

          4.8

          17 ratings


          More shows like WealthTech on Deck

          View all
          Money Guy Show by Brian Preston and Bo Hanson

          Money Guy Show

          3,137 Listeners

          a16z Podcast by Andreessen Horowitz

          a16z Podcast

          1,015 Listeners

          We Study Billionaires - The Investor’s Podcast Network by The Investor's Podcast Network

          We Study Billionaires - The Investor’s Podcast Network

          3,370 Listeners

          Animal Spirits Podcast by The Compound

          Animal Spirits Podcast

          1,980 Listeners

          Wall Street Breakfast by Seeking Alpha

          Wall Street Breakfast

          1,013 Listeners

          WealthTech Today by Craig Iskowitz

          WealthTech Today

          12 Listeners

          The Compound and Friends by The Compound

          The Compound and Friends

          2,051 Listeners

          The Long View by Morningstar

          The Long View

          881 Listeners

          The Journal. by The Wall Street Journal & Gimlet

          The Journal.

          5,917 Listeners

          Morning Brew Daily by Morning Brew

          Morning Brew Daily

          2,944 Listeners

          All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg by All-In Podcast, LLC

          All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg

          8,764 Listeners

          Barron's Streetwise by Barron's

          Barron's Streetwise

          1,537 Listeners

          Barron's Advisor by Barron's Advisor

          Barron's Advisor

          110 Listeners

          Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin by Money News Network

          Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin

          1,731 Listeners

          The Morgan Housel Podcast by Morgan Housel

          The Morgan Housel Podcast

          986 Listeners