2025 BetaNXT Data Modernization Benchmarking Survey

Tracking Investment and Wealth Management Decision-Makers' Views and Progress on Data Modernization

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Introduction

BetaNXT recently partnered with Wealth Management IQ to survey nearly 250 decision-makers in the investment and wealth space, exploring their perspectives, priorities, and challenges in achieving data modernization — a crucial foundational step for deploying AI and other advanced technologies. Our key findings reveal the winning strategies that set industry leaders apart.

Report

The Inaugural BetaNXT Data Modernization Benchmarking Survey

Tracking Investment and Wealth Management Decision-Makers’ Views and Progress on Data Modernization
KEY FINDINGS WEBINAR – ON-DEMAND

Data Modernization Benchmarking Survey: The Winning Strategies of Data-Minded Leaders

Hear what subject matter experts from BetaNXT and Wealth Management IQ had to say about the key findings from the benchmarking survey in a recent webinar.
Watch the replay to learn more about how wealth firms are tackling data modernization, and what sets industry leaders apart.

Davis Janowski – Host
Senior Editor, Technology & Research Analyst, Wealth Management
Kristin Letourneau, PhD
Vice President, Research, Informa Engage, Wealth Management
Don Henderson
Chief Technology Officer, BetaNXT
Jonathan Reeve
Chief Product Officer, BetaNXT

5 Key Takeaways

0 %
of firms are focused on data modernization

Industry Pulse Check

Modernization is a must for firms who want to stay ahead of data challenges — and competitors.

Two-thirds will also invest more on data modernization in 2025. Firms who are not yet modernizing their data risk the domino effect of data chaos on downstream issues.

Competing Priorities

Update, integrate, or innovate? Modernizing takes all three at once.

Decision-makers grapple with many different but similarly important objectives, such as improving data integration (53%) and leveraging AI (44%). All these priorities depend on an optimized data foundation.

0 %
say replacing legacy tech is a priority
0 %
say replacing legacy tech is a priority

Competing Priorities

Update, integrate, or innovate? Modernizing takes all three at once.

Decision-makers grapple with many different but similarly important objectives, such as improving data integration (53%) and leveraging AI (44%). All these priorities depend on an optimized data foundation.

0 %
of firms prioritize data governance

Overlooked Fundamentals

In the drive to innovate, many are rushing past fundamentals.

Many firms (43%) are motivated to modernize by the allure of new technologies, but some firms are overlooking critical fundamentals: security, governance, and a single source of truth.

The Power of Talent

The right talent strategy helps firms win from within.

While 37% of firms have hired a Chief Data Officer to lead data efforts, only 8% fully empower data teams. Talent strategy will be critical for firms who want to win.

# 0
data challenge: A skill gap
(for 46% of firms)
# 0
data challenge: A skill gap
(for 46% of firms)

The Power of Talent

The right talent strategy helps firms win from within.

While 37% of firms have hired a Chief Data Officer to lead data efforts, only 8% fully empower data teams. Talent strategy will be critical for firms who want to win.

0 %
use vendor solutions for data modernization

Vendors as Partners

Firms lean on vendors to modernize faster.

While the majority of firms rely on vendor solutions for their data management needs, 57% wish their vendors were more strategic partners — a key opportunity for adding value.

Explainer Video

Data Modernization:
A Top Priority for Investment and Wealth Management Leaders

Report

The Inaugural BetaNXT Data Modernization Benchmarking Survey

Tracking Investment and Wealth Management Decision-Makers’ Views and Progress on Data Modernization
BetaNXT and Wealth Management IQ are separate and unaffiliated entities.
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Research Methodology

Overview: Methodology, data collection and analysis by WealthManagement.com. Data collected February 3 – 23, 2025. Methodology conforms to accepted marketing research methods, practices and procedures.

Methodology: Beginning on February 3, 2025, WealthManagement.com emailed invitations to participate in an online survey to active users. By February 23, 2025, WealthManagement.com had received 420 completed responses. Of those, 244 represented firms with at least $100M in AUM, and personal involvement in data modernization purchasing and/or strategy decisions. The following analyses are based on those 244 respondents.

To encourage prompt response and increase the response rate overall, email invitations and survey materials were branded with the WealthManagement.com name and logo to capitalize on user affinity for this valued brand.

The first 200 respondents were afforded the opportunity to receive a $10 Starbucks gift card as a token of appreciation for their participation in the survey.