Steward Partners Bets on AI to Redefine Advisor Prospecting

NEW YORK, NY – February 18, 2026 – In a move that underscores the growing influence of artificial intelligence in wealth management, Steward Partners has announced a major partnership with the AI-powered platform WealthFeed. The enterprise-level agreement will initially equip 50 of the firm's lead advisors with advanced tools designed to revolutionize client prospecting and engagement, with plans for a broader rollout across its more than 300 advisors.

Steward Partners, one of the nation's fastest-growing investment advisory firms with nearly $50 billion in client assets, is betting that AI is the key to unlocking the next phase of organic growth. The partnership signals a significant strategic investment in technology aimed at moving beyond traditional, often inefficient, methods of finding new clients.

The AI Advantage in a Competitive Market

The collaboration provides Steward's advisors access to WealthFeed's core technology, which leverages AI to identify "money-in-motion" events. The platform continuously scans and analyzes millions of data points from public sources to detect subtle digital signals that indicate significant life changes—such as a business sale, inheritance, executive promotion, or other liquidity events. This allows advisors to engage with high-intent prospects at the precise moment they are most likely to need financial guidance.

This data-driven approach marks a stark departure from cold calls and generic marketing. For a leading firm like Steward Partners, consistently ranked on the Barron's Top 100 RIA Firms list and recognized by Inc. for its rapid growth, adopting such technology is a calculated move to maintain its competitive edge.

“We believe leveraging AI to generate better leads should be a core capability in every advisor’s toolkit, taking its place alongside financial planning, CRM, and portfolio management solutions,” said Greg Banasz, Chief Marketing Officer at Steward Partners, in the original announcement. His statement highlights the firm's view of AI not as an experimental tool, but as a fundamental component of the modern advisor's technology stack.

Redefining Prospecting and Client Engagement

The true impact of the partnership lies in its potential to reshape the daily workflow of financial advisors. WealthFeed, which was founded by advisors for advisors, aims to automate the most time-consuming aspects of business development while enhancing the personalization of outreach. The platform includes a suite of tools for compliant, multi-channel marketing campaigns across email, LinkedIn, and even automated handwritten notes, allowing advisors to focus their time on building relationships rather than searching for leads.

“Advisors understand organic growth isn't just a nice to have, it's a must," noted Sam Kendree, Co-Founder & President of WealthFeed. "WealthFeed leverages the power of AI to turn data into opportunity.”

The platform's focus on security—evidenced by its SOC 2 Type II compliance—is a critical feature in an industry built on trust and data privacy. Early adopters of the technology have reported positive results, with some advisors on professional forums noting the platform's effectiveness and strong return on investment. One user mentioned securing a high-value client meeting within their first week, while another reported that the new business generated from the platform covered its annual subscription cost within a few months. This hands-on feedback suggests the technology is not just powerful but also practical for advisors on the ground.

A Tipping Point for AI in Wealth Management

The Steward Partners and WealthFeed deal is emblematic of a much larger trend sweeping the financial services industry. The era of AI in wealth management has moved beyond theory and into widespread application. Recent industry studies show that over 90% of wealth management firms are now scaling AI across multiple use cases, with the vast majority believing it will be a primary driver of revenue growth in the coming years.

The benefits extend far beyond prospecting. AI is enabling hyper-personalized client portfolios, predictive analytics for risk management, and unprecedented operational efficiency by automating back-office tasks. This technological shift is democratizing access to sophisticated financial advice, making it more accessible to a broader range of clients.

However, the path to integration is not without its challenges. Firms must navigate significant hurdles related to data security, the high cost of implementation, and the "black box" nature of some AI algorithms, which can make decision-making processes opaque. Furthermore, the regulatory landscape is rapidly evolving, with bodies like the SEC proposing new rules to govern the use of AI and ensure it operates in the best interest of investors. The prevailing industry consensus is a move toward a hybrid model, where AI empowers and augments human advisors, freeing them to handle the complex, empathy-driven aspects of financial planning that technology cannot replicate.

The Strategic Play for Growth

For Steward Partners, this partnership is a clear strategic play to accelerate organic growth and cement its position as a forward-thinking leader. By providing its advisors with cutting-edge tools, the employee-owned firm not only enhances its ability to serve clients but also strengthens its value proposition for attracting and retaining top-tier advisor talent.

The initial rollout to 50 lead advisors serves as a strategic pilot, allowing the firm to measure impact, refine its integration strategy, and build a case for a firm-wide deployment. This measured approach is typical for large-scale technology adoption and reflects a sophisticated understanding of change management.

The deal also puts a spotlight on WealthFeed, a relatively new entrant that secured $2 million in seed funding in 2024. By landing a major enterprise client like Steward Partners, the fintech company validates its technology and market strategy, positioning itself as a key enabler for advisory firms navigating the digital transformation. As the industry continues to consolidate and compete, such strategic technology partnerships are becoming essential for firms looking to not only survive but thrive.