Goldman Sachs, Once Reserved for The Rich, Is Close to Offering Wealth Management for The Masses

KEY POINTS

  • The bank has begun internal testing of a new automatic financial investment service ahead of a wider rollout early next year, according to an email obtained exclusively by CNBC.
  • Workers who sign on to the digital service, called Marcus Invest, will pay a yearly management fee of 0.15%, according to the business memo.
  • A few of the intellectual firepower once booked for Goldman’s wealthiest clients will be funneled into the digital service, which includes the firm’s smart-beta ETFs and property allowance models developed by its personal wealth management investment group.

Goldman Sachs has for years set its sights on the global elite when it pertains to wealth management. Now, it’s opening up to everyone else.

The bank has started internal testing of a new automated financial investment service ahead of a wider rollout early next year, according to an e-mail gotten exclusively by CNBC. Employees who sign on to the digital service, called Marcus Invest, will pay an annual management fee of 0.15%, according to the business memo.

“As we get ready for the public launch in Q1 2021, we are happy to welcome customer and wealth management coworkers to supply early feedback on Marcus Invest through our beta program,” the e-mail said. The memo was signed by Tucker York and Stephanie Cohen, co-head of the consumer and wealth management division.

Goldman’s relocation is the current example of a shift toward Main Street that began in 2016 with its Marcus brand name of individual loans and savings accounts. The bank, which has long catered to the ultra-wealthy, corporate officers and institutional investors, is looking for brand-new sources of income far from trading and financial investment banking.

As part of that push, the company wants to expand its reach in wealth management to the so-called mass affluent. For years, the bank has mostly targeted clients with at least $25 million to invest for white-glove service from its wealth management group. Then last year, Goldman got store wealth management firm United Capital to help it serve single-digit millionaires.

The Marcus Invest account, however, can be begun with as little as $1,000, according to the memo. Users can select amongst three model portfolios made up of ETFs from Goldman and outdoors providers. It will be integrated with other offerings, consisting of a personal finance tool called Marcus Insights, on the Marcus app and online website. A Goldman spokesperson validated the credibility of the Dec. 14 e-mail and declined to comment even more.

Goldman’s item for the masses comes years after versions from competitors consisting of Morgan Stanley and Bank of America and the start-ups that pioneered the technology. What differentiates Goldman’s is that some of the intellectual firepowers as soon as booked for the firm’s richest clients will be funneled into the digital service.

“Marcus Invest assists take the heavy lifting out of investing with handled portfolios of ETFs based upon models developed by our associates in the Financial investment Method Group, and featuring GSAM’s ActiveBeta and Access ETFs in choose portfolios,” according to the memo. The company’s Investment Technique Group steers asset allowance for personal wealth customers. It’s GSAM unit, which represents Goldman Sachs Asset Management, is understood for a popular series of smart-beta ETFs.

The 0.15% management cost is a “unique staff member deal,” according to the bank. While the business would not state just how much it intends on charging nonemployees, it’s likely to be in line with competitors’ rates for automated investing, according to a person with an understanding of the plans. Morgan Stanley charges 0.35% and Bank of America’s Merrill department charges 0.45% on select tiers of service.

Goldman executives had initially targeted a 2020 release for the digital wealth management service but were delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. The firm’s next move is likely to be a Marcus checking account that will be offered through the app, part of the bank’s vision for the retail bank of the future.

Considering that pressing into customer financing, the bank has checked brand-new items with its staff members to work out bugs, consisting of with the Apple Card, which was released last year. In the internal message, the bank warned staff members against sharing information about its most current job, calling it private and voluntary.

“Portfolios are pre-approved by firmwide Compliance and do not need trading pre-clearance,” Goldman said. “After your account is set up, your account will be kept track of daily and rebalanced periodically to help you satisfy your objectives.”