Across Europe, banks and wealth managers are accelerating their digital transformation programmes to keep pace with evolving client expectations. Today’s clients increasingly expect advisory services that are personalised, transparent, and available through intuitive digital channels. 

These expectations continue to rise as the broader financial landscape becomes more interconnected and data-driven.

Institutions exploring this evolution often reach a crossroads where they are faced with the choice of whether to develop proprietary tools internally or collaborate with specialised technology providers. 

It’s a meaningful decision, and the right approach will differ by institution depending on strategy, resources, and governance.

Today, we outline the key considerations for banks evaluating digital investment solutions and assessing the role of an advisory technology partner. 

How Is Digital Investment Solutions Evolving?

#1 Client expectations are shifting

Digital convenience and personalised insights are now fundamental to the client experience. 

According to Eurostat, 97% of young people in the EU use the internet daily, illustrating how digitally native future clients have become. (1)

As this demographic grows in economic influence, banks increasingly recognise the need for tools that support consistent, relevant, and timely communication.

#2 Hybrid advisory is becoming the norm

Many institutions are adopting hybrid advisory models that balance digital scalability with human expertise. 

These models allow advisers to focus on value-added client conversations while technology enhances engagement, pre-analysis, and documentation processes. 

Digital investment solutions play a central role by supporting advisory journeys without altering the bank’s regulatory responsibilities.

#3 Technology now sits at the core of advisory transformation

When thoughtfully integrated, technology can streamline operational steps, reduce manual tasks, and improve data visibility. 

For institutions, this means enabling advisers to deliver interactions aligned with internal governance while ensuring that any tooling remains firmly within the bank’s regulatory perimeter.

Key Consideration #1 – Governance and Regulatory Alignment

Responsibility remains with the bank.

Even when external technology is introduced, the bank retains full responsibility for regulatory compliance and client protection. This principle is central to regulatory frameworks across Europe.

When assessing an investment platform for advisors, governance alignment is foundational. Areas to examine include:

  • Adherence to the EBA Guidelines on Outsourcing Arrangements (EBA/GL/2019/02) (2)
  • Contractual clarity regarding data protection, oversight rights, reporting, and exit strategies.
  • Transparency around ICT and operational risk controls.
  • Compatibility with the bank’s own compliance, audit, and risk frameworks.
  • Evidence of robust cybersecurity practices and certifications.

Evaluating these components helps institutions ensure oversight remains strong and responsibilities remain clearly allocated.

Key Consideration #2 – Digital Operational Resilience

As digital ecosystems expand, operational resilience and cybersecurity sit at the centre of client trust. Institutions are expected to maintain high standards of ICT risk management, particularly when relying on third-party technology.

The EU Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) introduces specific requirements for ICT risk management, testing, incident reporting, and oversight of critical third-party service providers. (3)

DORA reinforces that institutions must ensure resilience even when outsourcing components of their technology stack.

What to look for in a technology partner

Banks assessing digital advisers or portfolio tools will often review:

  • Information security policies and independent audit practices.

  • Incident detection, escalation, and recovery processes.

  • Encryption standards and access control models.

  • Business continuity and resilience testing procedures.

These elements contribute to confidence that the technology enables operational continuity in a controlled and transparent way.

Key Consideration #3 – Integration and Interoperability

Banks operate within complex technology ecosystems that include CRM systems, reporting engines, compliance modules, and core banking platforms. Any digital investment solutions must integrate smoothly into these environments to preserve internal control and avoid inefficiencies.

Institutions commonly evaluate:

  • Open API frameworks and modular architecture.
  • Compatibility with internal data models and reporting formats.
  • Ease of integrating workflows into existing advisory processes.
  • The solution’s scalability across multiple jurisdictions.

A practical best practice

Rather than replacing established systems, many banks prefer solutions that complement and strengthen existing infrastructure. This approach supports agility while maintaining ownership of data and processes.

Key Consideration #4 – Data Management and Security

Robust data governance is essential for regulatory accountability. Institutions expect any technology provider to manage data securely and transparently, while keeping the bank in control of its own information.

Key areas to examine include:

  • Data hosting and storage policies.

  • Encryption of data both in transit and at rest.

  • Role-based access controls and approval workflows.

  • End-to-end traceability to support audit requirements.

These elements support alignment with EU data protection standards like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). (4)

Key Consideration #5 – Strategic and Cultural Fit

Technology partnerships are long-term relationships. Banks often look for partners whose values, governance standards, and approach to collaboration align with their own.

Here are some key questions institutions must ask before choosing a digital investment solution partner:

  • Does the provider understand the needs of regulated environments?

  • Can its service model adapt to local compliance structures?

  • Does the provider encourage co-development and knowledge sharing with internal teams?

Finding the right cultural fit helps avoid unnecessary dependencies and supports long-term institutional agility.

What Is Gambit’s Role as a Technology Partner?

Gambit provides IT solutions that support financial institutions in enhancing their digital investment advisory experiences. Its modular and white-label approach allows banks to adapt and integrate technology within their own systems and governance frameworks.

Importantly:

  • Gambit does not provide investment advice, portfolio management, or any MiFID-regulated services.

  • Its role is strictly technological enablement for institutions that themselves provide advice to clients.

  • Collaborations are designed so that governance, security, and operational oversight remain within the institution.

This approach supports banks seeking an investment platform for advisors that aligns with internal processes while preserving the institution’s regulatory responsibilities.

Closing Thoughts

Selecting the right digital partner is about trust, governance, operational soundness, and shared long-term vision. 

As banks adapt to evolving client expectations and regulatory landscapes, digital investment solutions can play a valuable role when they are integrated thoughtfully and responsibly.

Institutions evaluating their next steps should consider governance, resilience, interoperability, data management, and cultural fit as non-negotiable pillars. 

Partnerships between banks and technology providers, including organisations such as Gambit, can help support sustainable innovation built on transparency and accountability.

FAQ

1. Are digital advisory tools replacing human advisers?

No, in regulated environments, technology is generally used to support and complement human expertise, not replace it. Hybrid models enable advisers to focus on client relationships while digital tools streamline operational steps.

2. Do digital platforms change a bank’s regulatory responsibilities?

No. Even when outsourcing technology components, regulatory accountability remains with the institution. This principle is reinforced in frameworks such as the EBA Outsourcing Guidelines and DORA.

3. Can technology providers offer compliance advice?

No. Providers of IT solutions do not offer legal, tax, or compliance advice. Institutions should rely on their internal functions or qualified advisers for regulatory interpretations.

4. Is a digital adviser platform accessible directly to consumers?

No. Solutions like those provided by Gambit are designed for authorised financial institutions and are not offered directly to retail investors or consumers.

Disclaimer:

This document is a Marketing Communication intended solely for professional audiences within authorised financial institutions. It does not constitute investment advice, legal, tax, or compliance guidance. Gambit Financial Solutions provides IT solutions to financial institutions and is not a regulated firm that offers MiFID services such as investment advice, portfolio management, or order execution. All data sources cited are publicly available.

References:

  1. Eurostat. (2025). Young people - digital world. Statistics Explained. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/SEPDF/cache/39761.pdf
  2. Guidelines on outsourcing arrangements | European Banking Authority. (n.d.). https://www.eba.europa.eu/activities/single-rulebook/regulatory-activities/internal-governance/guidelines-outsourcing
  3. Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). (n.d.-b). European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority. https://www.eiopa.europa.eu/digital-operational-resilience-act-dora_en
  4. Principles of the GDPR. (n.d.). European Commission. https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/rules-business-and-organisations/principles-gdpr_en
Maria Ceruti
Maria Ceruti
Maria Ceruti joined Gambit Financial Solutions as a Product Marketing Specialist, where she played a pivotal role in building the company’s marketing ecosystem from the ground up. Her responsibilities spanned product positioning, communications, content strategy, and event coordination. She successfully integrated ESG narratives and compliance themes into the company’s messaging, enhancing Gambit’s visibility in both the financial and fintech sectors. Her contributions bridged product innovation with thought leadership, reinforcing the brand’s credibility and relevance.