Tech That Builds Trust: How Advisors Strengthen Client Relationships in Volatile Markets

Periods of market volatility often leave investors feeling uncertain, not just about their portfolios, but about the guidance they’re receiving. While seasoned financial advisors know that discipline and long-term thinking are the right call during turbulent times, client confidence can waver if communication isn’t proactive and personalized.

The good news? Technology offers powerful ways to reinforce client trust, not by replacing the advisor’s expertise, but by enhancing how that expertise is delivered. And according to Nitrogen’s 2025 Firm Growth Survey, there’s a clear link between tech-enabled engagement and investor loyalty.

Here are five key ways financial advisors are using technology to improve client conversations, build confidence, and strengthen relationships, all of which help drive long-term retention.

1. Use Data to Back Up Advice, Clients Want It

Investors crave clarity. Nearly 90% of surveyed investors said they would be more likely to trust their advisor’s recommendations if they were backed by data or advanced analytics.

This doesn’t mean overwhelming clients with spreadsheets, it means presenting insights in a way that’s accessible and aligned with their personal goals. Whether it’s visualizing downside risk, showing stress test results, or contextualizing long-term outcomes, technology can provide investors the evidence they need to feel confident during periods of uncertainty.

2. Visuals Matter: Risk, Performance, and Progress Should Be Tangible

According to the survey, 25% of investors said that interactive dashboards were the most valuable technology in the advisor-client relationship, right alongside risk assessment tools (also 25%).

When clients can visualize their risk tolerance, portfolio alignment, or retirement projections in real time, it’s easier for them to stay focused on what matters most, even when markets are volatile. These tools bring abstract concepts to life, giving clients a tangible sense of control and clarity.

3. Proactive Communication Builds Trust, Especially When Markets Dip

The best time to communicate isn’t after a client calls in a panic. According to the 2025 survey, 85% of investors said proactive communication during market volatility is a valuable part of their client experience. Clients don’t just want their advisor to be accessible, they want them to anticipate the moment they’ll need reassurance.

Technology can automate these touchpoints without making them feel impersonal. Tools that enable regular check-ins, market commentary, or quick pulse surveys help advisors stay connected and responsive, without adding hours to their calendar.

4. Meet Clients Where They Are With Tools They Actually Value

There’s a growing disconnect between what many advisors think clients want and what clients actually prioritize. For instance, while only 9.4% of advisors listed risk tolerance software as a must-have for growth, a full quarter of investors said it was the most valuable tool in their relationship with their advisor.

Clients today expect user-friendly digital experiences, especially when it comes to visualizing how their portfolio aligns with their goals. Advisors who meet that expectation are far better positioned to retain clients during challenging times.

5. Client Experience Is the Differentiator

According to the survey, 68% of clients said they would consider switching advisors for one who offered more personalized communication and technology-driven insights.

That statistic isn’t just a retention concern, it’s a growth opportunity. When advisors leverage technology to enhance the experience of working together, not just the results, they stand out. They become not just financial guides but trusted partners who understand how to keep clients informed, engaged, and confident in the plan.

Nitrogen: Technology That Reinforces the Human Connection

At Nitrogen, we believe great technology doesn’t replace the advisor, it elevates them.

With tools like:

• The Risk Number® – to visualize each client’s unique risk tolerance and align portfolios accordingly
• Stress Tests and Scenarios – to illustrate how a portfolio might respond to market events
• Check-ins – for easy, regular two-way communication that tracks sentiment and satisfaction
  
• The Retirement Map – to help clients understand their long-term plan at a glance

…you can communicate with clarity, build trust through transparency, and help your clients stay invested, even during market uncertainty.

Because when clients understand the “why” behind the strategy, they’re more likely to stick with it and stick with you.

Want to see how Nitrogen can help you strengthen client relationships during times of market volatility?

Book a demo today and experience how the right technology can power confident, clear client conversations, no matter what the market’s doing.