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February 28, 2014 at 07:05 AM
Managing digital assets has emerged as an essential part of the modern wealth management and planning process, and clients are increasingly looking for ways to address emerging risks.
This week, U.S. Trust said it had expanded its Financial Empowerment Program, adding interactive learning and discussion guides to help clients and their children or heirs protect the value of their digital assets, online reputation, privacy and security.
“From social media profiles to online banking and digital photos, virtually everyone today has a digital footprint that can have a profound effect on their personal, professional and financial lives,” Chris Heilmann, U.S. Trust’s chief fiduciary executive, said in a statement.
“Digital assets have value beyond their monetary worth and need a plan to protect them. Increasingly, our clients are asking for tools and advice to prepare themselves and the next generation from emerging risks.”
The bank said it had developed the expanded program based on client feedback and proprietary research in 2013 that showed the following:
- 63% of high-net-worth individuals had not outlined wishes and instructions for their digital assets.
- 45% had not organized passwords for accessing digital accounts and files
One module in the new learning program provides an overview of digital assets, including online personal, social, financial and business assets, and their monetary, sentimental and “good steward” value.
