Author: Leighton Langan

From Proposal to Account Opening, Powered by Nucleus™

You’ve built the proposal, walked your client through the investment strategy, and earned their confidence. Now it’s time to open the account. But that often means leaving Nitrogen, opening a separate custodian portal, and entering information you’ve already collected.

We’re making that process easier with Nucleus Account Opening. Originally announced at Nitrogen’s Summer Product Release in August, this new capability enables advisors to initiate and track new Schwab accounts directly within Nitrogen.

Powered by Nucleus, our agentic AI engine, this new functionality connects investment proposals to account opening in one continuous workflow, reducing administrative work and eliminating the need to re-enter information across systems.

Bringing Account Opening Into Nitrogen

As our largest custodial integration partner, Schwab is the first custodian to support Nucleus Account Opening.

We’re also among the first wealthtech providers to leverage Schwab’s new account-opening APIs, extending our relationship into AI-powered workflows that help advisors move from client conversations to action.

“Advisors spend a tremendous amount of time helping clients make confident financial decisions. The work that follows should be just as seamless,” said Dan Zitting, CEO of Nitrogen. “With Schwab, we’re connecting the moment a client says yes to the work required to move forward. Nucleus handles the administrative steps, advisors stay in control, and more time goes back to serving clients. This is what agentic AI should do for financial advisors.”

How Nucleus Account Opening Works

Advisors can now initiate account opening in the same place they built and presented the proposal.

Nucleus uses existing client and household information to prefill available details, so advisors can review and confirm information instead of starting from scratch. From there, advisors select the appropriate account type and submit the request to Schwab without leaving Nitrogen.

Once submitted, a pending account appears in the client’s portfolio, allowing advisors to monitor its progress. When Schwab completes the account-opening process, the account number flows back into Nitrogen.

As custodial data becomes available, Nitrogen automatically reconciles the new account, preventing duplicate entries and eliminating additional manual work.

Advisors can also manage the process conversationally through Nucleus, asking it to help initiate account opening or check the status of pending requests.

Learn more about Nucleus Account Opening by booking a demo here.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nucleus Account Opening?

Nucleus Account Opening is an AI-powered capability that allows advisors to initiate, submit, and track new custodial accounts directly within Nitrogen. It connects the investment proposal to the account-opening process, reducing manual work and keeping advisors in control.

Which custodians support Nucleus Account Opening?

Charles Schwab is the first custodian to support Nucleus Account Opening.

Does Nucleus automatically open accounts without advisor approval?

No. Nucleus helps prepare the account-opening information using existing client data, but advisors review, confirm, and submit the required information before the request goes to Schwab.

Can I track the status of an account after submission?

Yes. Once submitted, a pending account appears in the client’s portfolio. Advisors can monitor its status directly within Nitrogen or ask Nucleus for an update. Once the account is opened and custodial data becomes available, Nitrogen automatically reconciles it.

Can I use Nucleus to open accounts conversationally?

Yes. Advisors can ask Nucleus to help initiate account opening, guide them through the process, or check the status of pending account requests.

Is Nucleus Account Opening available to all advisors?

Nucleus Account Opening is rolling out to eligible Nitrogen and Schwab customers with a connected Schwab integration. Contact our team to learn more about availability for your firm.

Life Insurance Awareness Month: 5 Questions to Ask Clients This Month

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, which gives financial advisors a natural opportunity to revisit life insurance with clients. Coverage can stay in place for years while a client’s life changes around it, making the occasion a useful prompt for a check-in.

The harder part, however, is figuring out how actually to have that conversation. 

Life insurance brings clients face to face with what would happen to the people they care about after they’re gone. But a discussion this personal can quickly feel cold once the focus turns to policies and coverage amounts.

For advisors, the questions you ask can help keep the client at the center of the discussion and anxiety at bay. Framing them around the client’s circumstances and expectations gives you a way to understand what the coverage needs to accomplish before you evaluate the coverage itself.

That idea is behind the five questions below. 

Each reframes a familiar part of the life insurance discussion to help you learn more about the client and give you better context when it’s time to assess their coverage.

1. “Who would feel the financial impact if something happened to you?”

An advisor needs to know who relies on the client financially, which makes “Who are your dependents?” an obvious question.

The word dependents, however, can narrow the client’s answer. Consider someone who regularly helps an aging parent with living expenses. They may not think of that parent as a dependent even though their death could have a financial impact.

Widening the question can give you more useful information: Who would feel the financial impact if something happened to you?

The answer may uncover financial relationships that don’t fit neatly into the dependent box. For the advisor, that provides a fuller picture of the client’s responsibilities before the conversation reaches policies or coverage amounts.

2. “What would you want the money to make possible for your family?”

“How much life insurance do you need?” gets quickly to a dollar amount. Clients may have a hard time answering until they’ve considered what they expect that money to accomplish.

Try asking about the outcome first.

A client might want their spouse to have the option of remaining in the family home. Understanding that priority gives the advisor context for the coverage discussion that follows.

The eventual dollar amount now has something behind it. The advisor can evaluate coverage with a clearer understanding of what the client wants those financial resources to provide. The answer may also reveal priorities that deserve attention elsewhere in the client’s financial plan.

3. “Walk me through the life insurance you have today.”

“How much life insurance do you have?” is a natural question during a coverage review. The answer gives you a number, but there may be more to understand about the coverage behind it.

Try giving the client room to explain what they have in their own words. Ask them to walk you through their current life insurance.

You may find that most of their coverage comes through work. Or they may own a policy they purchased years ago and haven’t looked at closely since. How the client describes their coverage can also tell you how well they understand what they own.

For the advisor, that creates a better starting point for the review. You can fill in missing details and identify areas that deserve a closer look before deciding whether the client’s current coverage still fits their situation.

4. “Is there anything about your life insurance you’ve never been quite sure about?”

“Do you have any questions about your policy?” sounds like an open invitation. For a client who isn’t particularly familiar with life insurance, it can be difficult to know what to ask.

Try asking about uncertainty instead.

A client may have questions about how long their coverage lasts or what happens if their circumstances change. They may have wondered about something for years without knowing whether it was worth bringing up.

For the advisor, those uncertainties can point to areas where the client needs more clarity. They can also reveal a gap between owning life insurance and understanding it, allowing you to address concerns before moving into a broader coverage assessment.

5. “How comfortable are you with the amount of coverage you have today?”

“Do you have enough life insurance?” puts the client in the position of judging whether their coverage is adequate. They may have an answer, but that answer could be based more on confidence than a recent assessment.

In contrast, asking how comfortable they are with their current coverage gives you a natural opening to explore what’s behind that confidence. From there, you can offer to compare what they have with what they may need.

Nitrogen’s Insurance Center provides a structured way to make that comparison. Its Insurance Coverage Assessment calculates life insurance need using the DIME framework, which accounts for debt and income along with mortgage and education needs. Advisors can complete the assessment during a client meeting or send it ahead of time.

The result is Coverage Number™, which compares the client’s existing coverage with their calculated need. A Coverage Number below 100 may indicate a gap, while a number above 120 could point to excess coverage. Nitrogen considers the range from 80 to 120 generally on track.

That gives you a number to discuss with the client without reducing the decision to a simple pass or fail. You can use the result as a starting point, apply your professional judgment, and decide whether the client’s coverage deserves a closer look.

Make the most of Life Insurance Awareness Month

Life Insurance Awareness Month gives advisors a reason to bring insurance back into the client conversation this September. How you approach the subject can help you learn more about what clients expect from their coverage and give you better context when it’s time to evaluate it.

If you’re looking for a more structured way to bring insurance into your client conversations, see how Nitrogen’s Insurance Center can help. Curious how it plays out in a real client meeting? Book a demo to see Insurance Center in action.

FAQ

How can financial advisors bring up life insurance with clients?

Life Insurance Awareness Month gives advisors a timely opening each September. Advisors can use the occasion to revisit coverage as part of a broader client review. Starting with the client’s financial circumstances can also provide useful context before the discussion reaches coverage amounts.

How can advisors discuss life insurance without sounding salesy?

Consider where your opening question directs the client’s attention. Asking immediately about coverage amounts can make the discussion feel transactional. Questions about who relies on the client financially can help establish why the coverage exists before you assess whether the current amount fits.

What questions should advisors ask when reviewing life insurance?

Advisors can ask what clients expect their insurance to accomplish and whether their circumstances have changed since the coverage was selected. It can also be useful to understand how the client arrived at the current amount. Those answers provide context for evaluating existing coverage.

What is Nitrogen’s Coverage Number?

Coverage Number™ is part of Nitrogen’s Insurance Center. It compares a client’s existing insurance coverage with calculated need, giving advisors a quantitative starting point for discussing coverage. It can identify potential coverage gaps as well as situations where existing coverage may exceed calculated need.

 

Meet Income Center: The Next Evolution of Planning Center

Product names should reflect the real conversations advisors are having with clients. That is why Planning Center is now Income Center.

Over the past several years, advisors have increasingly used this experience not just for planning, but specifically for retirement income conversations. The ability to illustrate income sources, test scenarios, and show the probability of success has made it one of the most powerful tools for explaining how a retirement plan actually works.

The new name reflects that focus.

Income Center helps advisors move quickly from portfolio data to a clear retirement income story. Because Nitrogen already understands the client’s portfolio and risk profile, advisors can often generate a plan with a single click. From there, they can show in real time how decisions affect the client’s probability of success. Clients can see what happens if they retire earlier, increase spending, adjust risk, or fund something meaningful like education for a loved one.

This clarity often leads to what we call a Catalyst Moment. It is the moment when a client finally sees how their plan works and feels confident about their future.

The evolution of the product continues with the addition of Stress Tests, which allow advisors to model real historical market events against a client’s plan. Advisors can show what happens if a major market downturn occurs near retirement and how different strategies, including guaranteed income sources, can change the outcome.

When clients see their plan hold up under pressure, the conversation shifts. It is no longer about fear of the unknown. It becomes a clear understanding of the strategy and the role each investment plays.

Income Center now brings together Retirement Maps, Income by Source, and Stress Tests to help advisors deliver clearer and more confident retirement income conversations.

And the name reflects exactly what the experience is designed to do.

Help advisors turn complex planning discussions into confident income decisions.

Click here to learn more about Income Center or take an interactive tour by clicking here.

Fearless Investing Summit 2026: A Defining Moment for the Advisor Meeting

From February 18–20 in Denver, more than 730 advisors gathered in person for the Fearless Investing Summit 2026, with nearly 1,000 more joining virtually for the main stage experience.

Over three days, advisors, enterprise firms, partners, and industry leaders came together around one central idea:

The advisor meeting is the moment that matters most.

And this year, we showed what it has been building to power that moment.

Catalyst Moments Take Center Stage

This year’s theme centered on a simple but powerful idea: Catalyst Moments.

Those moments when confusion turns into confidence.

When a client exhales and the plan finally clicks.

From the opening keynote to the final panel, the focus was clear. The future of wealth management is about empowering better conversations.

Michael Kitces challenged advisors to rethink how they drive productivity in their day-to-day.

Aaron Klein explored the key principles to orchestrate modern client meetings.

Josh Brown delivered a bold declaration: human advisors have won the race against robo-advisors.

The common thread? Technology and AI need to amplify trust, but they will not replace it.

And that set the stage for Nitrogen’s biggest reveal yet.

The Launch of Nucleus: Agentic AI for Advisors

On Thursday morning, Nitrogen unveiled Nucleus, its new agentic AI engine designed specifically for advisor-client conversations.

Nucleus is built to act.

During a live demo, advisors watched as Nucleus:

  • Turned a PDF statement into a portfolio in seconds
  • Sent a Risk Assessment with explicit approval controls
  • Created draft proposals from existing portfolios
  • Generated Retirement Maps
  • Surfaced tax insights from a 1040
  • Produced meeting-ready talking points
  • Preconfigured client reports from a single prompt

It’s true, connected intelligence across Risk, Research, Income, and Tax.

And importantly, it operates within strict guardrails. 

Advisors remain fully in control while Nucleus assists. 

As one attendee shared on LinkedIn:

“What stood out most was their continued focus on integrating AI in ways that actually matter — helping advisors spend less time on administrative tasks and more time focused on growth, relationships, and most importantly, our clients.”

Four AI Centers. One Connected Experience.

The keynote showcased how our suite now connects four centers of intelligence:

Risk Center
Still the industry’s gold standard, backed by over a decade of data and ranked #1 in risk tolerance in the T3 Survey.

Research Center
Now supporting portfolios three times larger and loading over three times faster, with AI-powered discovery that turns natural language into structured fund screens.

Income Center
Renamed (formerly Planning Center) and expanded with Stress Tests that let advisors model real-world downturn scenarios and visually show how retirement income holds up.

Tax Center
The fastest-adopted new product in company history. Advisors can upload a 1040 and instantly generate a client-friendly Tax Snapshot, AI-powered strategy insights, and a brand-new Tax Transition Report Element that illustrates the tax impact of moving from a current to a proposed portfolio.

And that’s not all.

Since last Summit, we shipped 74 meaningful enhancements, achieved an NPS of 71, and earned an 8.7 integration score from Ezra Group, placing it in the top 10 of more than 600 wealthtech applications.

Advisors Felt It

The energy in Denver was palpable.

Troy Clapper summed it up:

“Grateful for the conversations, insights, and the shared commitment to building a more impactful future for advisors.”

Amber Girtman Jones and Kayla Watson celebrated mentorship and community.


FinServ Foundation called out the impactful keynote sessions, industry insights that were dropped, and meaningful networking.

Fidelis Wealth Advisors highlighted conversations about behavioral finance, risk tolerance, and the future of advice.

Tina Powell captured the spirit best:

“There’s something powerful about being in a room with people who don’t just talk growth. They live it.”

From packed breakout sessions to spontaneous hallway debates, the engagement extended far beyond the main stage.

And yes, the experience mattered too.

The Meow Wolf welcome party transformed networking into a fully immersive experience.

And the Comedy night with Steven Rodgers brought the house down.

A Redefined Advisor Meeting

For years, many advisors associated us primarily with the Risk Number®.

And that makes sense. We invented it. It became an industry standard. It changed how advisors talk about risk.

But Risk was chapter one.

Today, we are a suite of advisor products designed to demonstrate the value of advice — connecting risk alignment, portfolio research, income planning, and tax intelligence into one cohesive client experience.

At Summit, we introduced the framework that defines who we are now:

Before the meeting. During the meeting. After the meeting.

Before the meeting, connected AI intelligence prepares everything, surfacing what matters most for this specific client.

During the meeting, persuasive visuals across Risk, Research, Income, and Tax works together on screen. Advisors answer questions in real time. Clients see the implications of decisions immediately. Clarity replaces confusion. These are the Catalyst Moments.

After the meeting, documentation, summaries, and follow-ups are handled seamlessly, reinforcing trust and keeping clients aligned for the long term.

This is what it means to power the advisor meeting.

The advisor remains the leader in the room. We simply remove friction and connect the intelligence so advisors can go deeper on what actually matters to their clients.

The Next Chapter is in Palm Springs 2027

Before the lights went down, one final announcement electrified the room.

The next Fearless Investing Summit will take place in Fall 2027 in Palm Springs, California.

We’re moving back to Fall. We’re going to a desert backdrop. And we’ll be sharing even bigger ideas.

Fearless Investing Summit 2027 is about:

  • Seeing what’s next before everyone else
  • Building real relationships with forward-thinking advisors and industry leaders
  • Experiencing the energy of a community committed to elevating advice

Seats fill quickly, if you plan to join us in Palm Springs, now is the time.

Click here to join the 2027 Palm Springs waitlist today.

And if you missed our 2026 Fearless Investing Summit, you can check out the on-demand replays here.

Nitrogen Wrapped 2025

In 2025, we didn’t just ship features, we delivered a new standard for fearless advice. From cutting friction out of your daily workflows to deepening the analytics behind every proposal, this year was about transforming Nitrogen into the true AI-enabled, client-facing software for client meetings.

With 64 product updates released, 3 completely new product lines, and an industry-leading Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 71, this is your story as much as it is ours.

Let’s unwrap the honorable mentions, advisor favorites, count down the top 5 game-changing tools that defined 2025, and more.

 

Honorable Mentions

Before we get to the official countdown, we want to highlight the features that made a massive impact on advisor workflows this year.

Reports Builder

Advisors embraced the new Reports Builder, creating over 2,400 highly customized, on-brand client deliverables since launch. Whether explaining a model update, illustrating retirement readiness, or recapping a quarter, advisors now have total control over narrative and presentation.

Firm Controls

The “Everything, Everywhere, All At Once” of practice management. This update empowered firms to maintain centralized control over branding, investment strategy, user permissions, data sharing, and firm-wide analytics from one beautifully intuitive interface.

Meet “Jen”

We supercharged our Help Center with Jen, our AI-powered support assistant. Jen helps answer your questions at night, on weekends, and anytime you’re staring at a screen wondering, “How does this work?”

AI Research Center Updates

For the detail-oriented, we brought the Optimizer into the Sandbox, added plain text prompting to Discovery, and expanded trailing returns data (including the highly requested 10-year lookback).

 

Advisor Favorites

Top Webinar

Prospecting Playbook: How Natasha McPherson Wins Clients with Confidence using Nitrogen. In this candid conversation, Natasha McPherson shared how she uses Nitrogen as her secret weapon to turn prospects into clients. Watch on demand here.

Top Blog

Turn Tax Insights Into Year-End Prospecting Opportunities. We broke down how financial advisors can turn tax insights into year-end prospecting opportunities. Read the full post here.

Top Research

Nitrogen’s 2025 Firm Growth Survey. The top-performing content piece was our 2025 Firm Growth Survey, offering comprehensive insights into how firms are scaling in a changing landscape.

Top Proprietary Market Insights

Nitrogen’s Signals & Shifts. We launched our newsletter: Nitrogen Signals & Shifts, where every month we analyze more than 1,000 daily advisor-generated proposals to uncover trends shaping investor behavior and portfolio construction.

Top Integration Software

We landed an 8.7 “Superior” rating in the 2025 Ezra Group Wealthtech Integration rankings, placing in the top ten of all applications assessed. Notable integrations added this year include a Direct integration with Broadridge’s Wealth Aggregation and Insights solution, a deeper partnership with Advyzon for integrated portfolio analytics, portfolio management & CRM, and added the ability to sync your custodial data directly from SEI. You can view all 50+ leading integrations here.

The Nitrogen Newsroom

We made a splash in the headlines this year. Here’s a collection of our most recent news, including a top-performing announcement of our hottest release of the year (more on that in our countdown). 

Your Nitrogen Help Center: Built for Advisor Wins

Our all-new Customer Help Center unifies everything you need to get the most out of Nitrogen—on-demand Guided Product Tours, Training Webinars, Quick Video Tutorials, and Jen, our 24/7 AI Assistant that’s ready to guide you anytime. It’s the go-to resource for learning how to leverage Nitrogen to consistently crush every client meeting.

 

Top Hits: The Countdown

And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for. We counted down the top 5 releases of 2025. The tools you used the most, asked about the most, or told us you can’t live without.

#5 Annuity Enhancements

Streamlining the Complex. Kicking off our top five, we improved annuity workflows to help you model guaranteed income with precision. It’s not just about baking cookies for the holidays; it’s about making sure your clients’ income streams are visualized clearly and accurately.

#4 Retirement Maps

The Glow-Up of the Year. Once the “middle child” of the platform, Retirement Maps received a major overhaul in 2025. With enhancements to Retirement Income by Source (RIBS) and Income Stress Tests, advisors logged over 1,100 interactions with the new income views, turning complex planning into “aha moments” for clients.

#3 AI Statement Capture

“The Best Thing Since Sliced Pumpernickel”. Advisors called it a game-changer. Launched in Q1, AI Statement Capture quickly became a staple in the advisor workflow. It drastically reduced manual data entry, processing over 40,000 client files this year. It made onboarding faster, portfolio builds more accurate, and life simply easier.

#2 AI Meeting Notetaker

The New Standard for Client Conversations. One of the most transformative tools we launched this year, AI Meeting Notetaker redefined preparation and follow-through. With insight-rich preparation paired with automated notes, advisors have already used it to run over 250 meetings and complete 2,000+ check-ins.

#1 AI Tax Center

The Most Requested Feature of the Year. Coming in at number one is the feature advisors have been most excited for. AI Tax Center launched as a breakthrough for uncovering hidden assets and surfacing tax-relevant insights. It allows you to prepare tax-aware recommendations in seconds, bringing tax clarity at scale to your practice.

 

Advisor Soundbites

“When tariffs and policy shifts hit the federal workforce… we ran everyone through Nitrogen again… One client who’d refused for years to move his government 401(k) finally understood the numbers and rolled over $1 million, because Nitrogen made the risk visible.” — Chris McAlister, Mainbridge Wealth Advisor

“Nitrogen is eye-opening for clients and prospects – the very first time I used it in a presentation, I brought in $1.8 million.” — Erik Lillibridge, Sagemark Consulting

“Nitrogen is the genesis of our plan. It tells us more about the client and prospect and drives our conversations to a deeper level that they can understand.” — Robert Lehrer, Founder and CEO of Mesa Pointe Wealth

“One family had a portfolio that looked conservative, but their risk score came back very aggressive… Without that Nitrogen check-in, we never would’ve discovered them, instantly creating a new revenue opportunity.” — Ryan Schebo, Prudential

 

The Fearless Investing Summit

Top Industry Speakers + Keynotes

Industry-leading speakers, including Josh Brown, Eric Clarke, Michael Kitces, and Nitrogen Co-founder Aaron Klein, will share their knowledge to help advisors bring their A-game to client meetings in 2026.

100+ Educational Sessions

From actionable breakout sessions to thought-provoking keynotes, every session was designed with you in mind. Check out the agenda here.

Groundbreaking Product Keynote

Attendees will get a first look at Nitrogen’s Winter 2026 platform innovations, revealed live on stage.

Fearless 2026 “Crush it in Every Meeting”

We’re gearing up for next year’s Fearless Investing Summit in Denver this February 18-20! Learn more about the exciting announcements and early registration perks by visiting the conference website.

 

2025 By The Numbers

2025 was a huge year for us! It’s hard to summarize what we’ve been able to accomplish this year, but here’s a TLDR run through:

  • 64 Product Updates: We shipped 64 distinct updates this year, including 3 brand-new product lines.
  • 71 NPS Score: Thanks to your feedback, Nitrogen achieved a “best in class” Net Promoter Score of 71 (compared to the industry average of 34).
  • 1,000+ Daily Proposals: Advisors created more than 1,000 client proposals every single day, representing $1.1 billion in assets.
  • 8.74 Integration Score: Nitrogen earned an excellent 8.74/10 on the Ezra Group WealthTech Integration Score™, highlighting our commitment to seamless connectivity with your tech stack.
  • 40,000+ Files Processed: Advisors trusted AI Statement Capture to digitize over 40k client statements.
  • 2,400+ Reports Built: Since the launch of the new Reports Builder, advisors have created thousands of highly customized, on-brand deliverables.
  • 200 Custom Strategies: Advisors wasted no time crafting tailored approaches using our new Custom Strategies feature.

 

That’s a Wrap!

2025 has been a year driven by the advisors who push us to think bigger, move faster, and keep raising the bar for wealth management. Every upgrade, every new capability, and every improvement we’ve made traces back to what you told us you needed most.

The result? Stronger tools in your hands and richer, more meaningful connections with your clients. We’ve made real progress together, and the momentum is only building.

Because your input continues to shape our roadmap, what’s ahead is even more exciting. Fresh innovation, AI-driven insights, and a growing community of forward-thinking advisors are lined up to help you sharpen your edge and expand your reach.

Let’s turn the next chapter into your biggest yet.

P.S. If you missed our 2025 Wrapped Webinar, you can watch the replay here.

Summer 2025 Product Launch: AI Meeting Notes, Firm Controls, and More Tools for Advisors

At Nitrogen, we’re focused on building tools that help advisors empower clients to invest fearlessly.

We believe that great technology should make your job easier, not more complicated. This summer, we’ve released a major wave of upgrades across the platform, making your workflows faster, smarter, and more aligned with how you actually work.

Here’s a recap of everything new from our Summer Product Launch Event.

 

AI Meeting Notetaker: Smarter Meeting Notes, Built Right In

Meetings are the heart of your client relationships. But they’ve long come with a cost: lost time to notetaking, CRM updates, and compliance clean-up. That’s where AI Meeting Notetaker comes in.

Now you can:

  • Sync your calendar and video tools (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet)
  • Automatically generate curated notes during meetings
  • Send notes directly to your CRM (Redtail, Salesforce, and coming soon, Wealthbox)
  • Stay compliant without managing recordings or transcripts

It’s built directly into Nitrogen, with no extra tools to learn or juggle. Just a seamless, secure way to capture what matters so that you can stay focused on your client, not your keyboard.

 

Firm Controls, Now With More Visibility

Firm Controls, once exclusive to large institutions, is now smarter and more accessible to firms of any size. With this launch, advisors can:

  • Create reusable custom strategies
  • Apply custom brand colors to reports
  • Share clients and models across teams
  • Manage access and permissions

The expanded view makes it easy to filter by risk alignment, advisor, concentration, or cash, so you can identify accounts that need attention early.

 

Risk Center: More Transparency and Control

Risk Center continues to be the engine of your client conversations, and with these enhancements, it’s sharper than ever.

  • Annuity Classification restores clarity to complex products, so planning conversations stay focused on what matters.
  • Asset Class Drill-Downs give instant transparency. Just hover to reveal which holdings drive each exposure.
  • Smarter File Uploads make data entry feel like no work at all. Just drop in your CSV and Smart Template Matching handles the rest.

These updates help you deliver better insight, without breaking your stride.

 

Income Center: More Flexibility with Retirement Maps

Earlier this year, we introduced upgrades to the Planning Inputs experience, including new ways to manage inflows and outflows within Retirement Maps and Income by Source.

This release builds on that foundation with even greater flexibility for modeling income and expense events. Advisors with Retirement Maps already have access to these features and can try them out today.

 

Research Center: Smarter Portfolio Optimization

In Research Center, the Sandbox already provides a space for portfolio testing. Now, it becomes a true strategic workspace with the launch of the Optimizer.

Now you can:

  • Launch the Optimizer directly from Portfolio Stats
  • Set constraints for allocations and positions
  • Let Nitrogen calculate the most efficient way to hit your Risk Number target
  • See real-time analytics that update as you go

You’re still in control, but you no longer have to do the math by hand. Once you’re satisfied, commit the new allocation to a proposal or revert with a single click.

 

Meet Jen: Always-On Virtual Support

We also introduced Jen, Nitrogen’s new virtual support assistant. Jen is available 24/7 to answer questions, provide guidance, and surface the right resources immediately. She’s designed to complement our existing support team, ensuring advisors get help whenever they need it.

 

Looking Ahead

Everything we build is shaped by advisor feedback, and this release reflects that commitment. We’re excited about what’s coming next and look forward to sharing even more in the months ahead.

Want to dive deeper? Discover the full list of updates here, connect with our team to tailor Nitrogen to your needs, or schedule your demo and experience the platform’s latest innovations in real time.

And if you missed the event, you can still catch the replay here.

Thank you for being part of Nitrogen and for helping clients invest fearlessly.

 

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.

Five Goals Every Financial Advisor Should Have in 2025

As a financial professional, what are your resolutions for the new year?  

With 2025 approaching quickly, financial advisors face a dynamic landscape filled with new opportunities like continuing to embrace the “new” Marketing Rule and new challenges such as bolstering cybersecurity protections. To succeed in this ever-evolving environment, it’s essential to set clear objectives.

Focus on these five key priorities for 2025, with the acronym ‘GOALS’ serving as your roadmap to success:

G: Grow Your Client Base and AUM

Growth is the lifeblood of any financial advisory practice. In 2025, prioritize strategies that expand your client base and increase your AUM:

  • Leverage digital marketing: Social media platforms, webinars, and email campaigns can help you reach new audiences.
  • Enhance referral networks: Strengthen relationships with current clients and professional partners who can recommend your services.
  • Specialize your services: Cater to niche markets, such as young professionals, retirees, or small business owners, to differentiate yourself from competitors.

O: Overcome Old Habits and Embrace New Ones

The financial industry is changing rapidly, and clinging to outdated methods of growth, management, and client experiences can hold you back. To thrive, focus on breaking old habits and adopting new, forward-thinking practices:

  • Embrace technology: Is your tech stack working for you? Tools like financial planning software, CRM systems, and AI-powered analytics can improve efficiency and accuracy.
  • Streamline workflows: Reassess your daily routines and eliminate inefficiencies that drain time and resources.
  • Prioritize client experience: Adopt proactive communication and personalized service to build trust and loyalty.

A: Assess Your Risks

Risk management isn’t just for your clients—it’s crucial for your business too. Assess potential risks to your practice and take steps to mitigate them:

  • Compliance risks: Stay updated on industry regulations to avoid penalties and legal issues.
  • Market risks: Diversify your client’s portfolios and adapt to changing market conditions to protect their investments.
  • Operational risks: Conduct regular audits of your processes to ensure your business runs smoothly.

L: Learn Continuously

The wealth landscape is in constant flux. Staying informed and improving your skills are non-negotiable in 2025:

  • Stay current on laws and regulations. New tax codes, retirement account rules, and investment guidelines can directly impact your clients. Keeping up with the changes can be daunting, so lean on your firm’s partners for education and knowledge gathering.
  • Embrace AI: Learn how to integrate AI tools into your practice, from automating administrative tasks to providing data-driven insights for clients.
  • Network and Grow Together: Connect with like-minded advisors by attending industry events like the Fearless Investing Summit, virtually with Nitrogen Labs, and other professional gatherings. These opportunities provide valuable insights and foster collaboration to drive your practice forward.

S: Security 

With the increasing reliance on technology, safeguarding your clients’ sensitive information is critical:

  • Invest in cybersecurity: Implement robust measures like multi-factor authentication, data encryption, and firewalls to protect against breaches.
  • Educate clients: Teach your clients about online safety practices to minimize risks from their end.
  • Regularly update systems: Ensure your software and security protocols are up-to-date to guard against evolving threats.

Overall, setting the right goals for 2025 can help you stay ahead even as the industry evolves rapidly. 

Setting the right goals for 2025 isn’t just about keeping up—it’s about stepping ahead. By focusing on growth, overcoming old habits, assessing risks, learning continuously, and prioritizing security, you’ll be equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving industry.

Your ability to adapt and innovate will not only strengthen your practice but also deepen your relationships with clients and position you as a trusted partner in their financial journey. Take this year as an opportunity to push boundaries, embrace new challenges, and make meaningful progress. The future of wealth management belongs to those ready to lead with vision and purpose.

See how Nitrogen can help. Schedule a demo of the wealth industry’s leading client engagement platform today.

Nitrogen Wrapped 2024

This year’s Nitrogen Wrapped is a celebration of you—the financial advisors who inspire us every day. This year’s biggest wins, standout moments, and game-changing innovations all share a common thread: empowering you to elevate client engagement, drive growth, and empower clients to leave a lasting legacy. From the tools you asked for to the milestones we reached together, this is your story as much as it is ours.

Let’s relive the highlights and set the stage for an even greater 2025.

 

Top Hits: Product Features

  • #1 Most Requested Feature
    • Advisors asked, and we delivered. Stock Intersection simplifies portfolio analysis by identifying overlapping securities across accounts, enabling smarter investment decisions. Watch Nitrogen’s Chief Product Officer, Justin Boatman, unveil this game-changing feature at the Fearless Investing Summit. Learn more about Stock Intersection and the updates made to Research Center here.
  • Over 80 Features Released
    • From enhanced data visualization to seamless integrations, we’ve rolled out over 80 features designed to make your experience with Nitrogen more powerful and intuitive. Each update was inspired by advisor feedback, ensuring that every tool works harder for you and your clients. View our latest Product Release.
  • 105,000+ Risk Numbers Generated
    • Advisors nationwide leveraged the Risk Number® to quantify client risk tolerance with precision. This milestone underscores Nitrogen’s role in empowering better client conversations and building confidence around investment decisions.
  • Nearly 100,000 Unique Timeline Events Created in Retirement Maps
    • Retirement planning made visual. Advisors created almost 100,000 custom timeline events, helping clients stay on track to achieve their goals. With Nitrogen, advisors transformed complex retirement strategies into actionable plans. See Retirement Maps in action!
  • 1,200 Words a Day Generated by Nitrogen AI

    • Nitrogen AI is rewriting the rules for advisor efficiency. With over 1,200 words generated daily, advisors save time crafting personalized communications that resonate with clients.

 

 

The Fearless Investing Summit

  • 2,000+ Attendees 
    • Advisors, industry leaders, and partners came together to make the Fearless Investing Summit our most attended event yet. This diverse community fostered meaningful connections and inspired bold ideas to reshape the future of wealth management.
  • 120+ Educational Sessions

    • From actionable breakout sessions to thought-provoking keynotes, every session was designed with you in mind. Explore insights from industry pioneers, client engagement strategies, and success stories that will drive your practice forward.
  • Groundbreaking Product Keynote
    • Our most anticipated keynote yet introduced transformative updates to the Nitrogen platform, redefining what’s possible for financial advisors. Discover the innovations that are empowering advisors to grow faster and serve clients better. Watch the live recording here.
  • Join us for Fearless 2025
    • We’re already gearing up for next year’s Fearless Investing Summit in Denver from October 22-24, 2025! Learn more about the exciting announcements, early registration perks, and even more opportunities to take your advisory practice to the next level by visiting the conference website.

 

 

Advisor Favorites: Content & Insights

  • Top Blog: Why “Buying the Seller” Matters in WealthTech

    • This year’s most-read blog explored how focusing on advisor-centric solutions drives innovation and ensures long-term success in WealthTech. Discover why putting advisors first isn’t just good business—it’s the key to transforming the industry.
  • Top Research: 5 Trends Shaping Wealth Management

    • From evolving client expectations to new technology adoption, this survey-driven report highlighted the trends advisors need to watch to stay ahead in a rapidly changing landscape.
  • New and Updated Integrations
  • Customer Hub: Your Gateway to Success
    • Our all-new Customer Hub brings together everything you need to succeed with Nitrogen—on-demand Academy courses, access to Nitrogen Labs, Bootcamps, and Study Groups. It’s your one-stop resource for all things growth and engagement.
  • Nitrogen Knowledge Base
    • We launched an upgraded Knowledge Base to put the answers you need at your fingertips. Packed with hundreds of searchable articles, it’s designed to help you master risk alignment and make the most of Nitrogen’s platform.
  • The Nitrogen Newsroom
    • Featuring a collection of the most recent news, press mentions, and media assets. You can stay up to date on all the Nitrogen news here.

 

 

Advisor Soundbites: Testimonials

 

 

Prep for 2025

  • Marketing Strategies Advisors CAN’T miss in 2025
    • Discover the marketing trends, tools, and tactics that will define success in the coming year. From boosting client acquisition to amplifying retention, this webinar is your blueprint for impactful growth.
  • The Future of Wealth Management: Trends to Watch in 2025
    • Get ahead of the curve with this deep dive into the trends that will shape the wealth management industry. From emerging technologies to evolving client expectations, we’re breaking down what advisors need to know to stay competitive.
  • Spring 2025 Customer Bootcamp
    • Join team Nitrogen for an in-depth day of classroom-style training. Whether you’re brand new to the movement, or have been using Nitrogen for years, you’ll be sure to level-up your skills and take valuable insights back to your firm. Our first Bootcamp for the year will take place on March 7th, 2025—register today!

 

 

That’s a Wrap!

2024 was all about you—the advisors who inspire us to innovate, grow, and transform wealth management. From delivering the tools you requested to empowering deeper client relationships, your success has been our driving force. Together, we’ve achieved remarkable milestones and laid the foundation for what’s next.

With your feedback shaping every step, we’re energized to help you achieve even greater success in 2025. New features, powerful insights, and a thriving advisor community are ready to support you as you take your practice to new heights.

Ready to make 2025 your best year yet? Let’s grow together.

Bridging the Gap: How Nitrogen Empowers Advisors to Address Clients’ Risk Challenges

Understanding investment risk is at the core of sound financial decision-making, yet a recent FINRA Foundation study reveals a significant gap between what clients know about risk and how they manage it. While 80% of consumers demonstrate a basic understanding of investment risk, only 55% can identify risk mitigation strategies like diversification. This disconnect poses a challenge for financial advisors striving to align portfolios with clients’ goals and risk tolerance.

At Nitrogen, we’re helping financial advisors bridge this gap—empowering them with tools that not only educate but also build trust and confidence. Here’s how Nitrogen can help tackle the key challenges uncovered in the study.

Simplifying Risk Concepts for Clients

The study shows that most clients struggle to grasp risk mitigation strategies, leaving them vulnerable to misaligned portfolios and suboptimal decisions. Nitrogen’s industry-leading tools, like the Risk Number® and Stress Tests, transform abstract concepts into actionable insights. These visual aids help clients:

  • See how diversification reduces risk by spreading investments across asset classes.
  • Compare hypothetical investment scenarios for better understanding.
  • Recognize how portfolio adjustments align with their long-term goals.

Takeaway for Advisors: Use Nitrogen to make risk conversations more accessible and impactful, especially for visual learners.

Overcoming the Fear of Loss

Nearly 90% of respondents reported that fear of losing money impacts their investment behavior. Advisors face the delicate task of addressing these concerns without overwhelming clients. Nitrogen provides clear assistance here by:

  • Offering clear visual projections to show potential outcomes in a variety of scenarios.
  • Using stress tests to model how portfolios hold up under market volatility.
  • Demonstrating how risk-mitigation strategies protect against significant losses.

Takeaway for Advisors: Nitrogen empowers you to replace fear with confidence by helping clients visualize the “why” behind your recommendations.

Aligning Portfolios with Risk Tolerance

The study highlights that many clients’ stated risk tolerance doesn’t match their actual portfolio. This misalignment can jeopardize financial goals and strain advisor-client relationships. Nitrogen helps by:

  • Measuring risk at the security level to provide unmatched precision.
  • Helping advisors identify and correct portfolio misalignments quickly.
  • Ensuring every portfolio reflects the client’s true risk preferences and goals.

Takeaway for Advisors: Nitrogen eliminates guesswork, helping you create strategies that resonate with your clients’ goals and comfort levels.

Addressing Inflation and Liquidity Concerns

Inflation and liquidity risks topped clients’ concerns, but many lacked the tools to address them. Nitrogen integrates these factors into the conversation, allowing advisors to:

  • Show clients how inflation impacts portfolio performance over time.
  • Model the effects of liquidity constraints on long-term goals.
  • Provide actionable insights that reassure clients about their investment strategy.

Takeaway for Advisors: Nitrogen equips you with the data-driven insights needed to guide clients through these critical concerns.

The Nitrogen Difference

The findings from this FINRA Foundation study highlight the critical need for clear, effective communication around investment risk. Advisors play a pivotal role in helping clients navigate these complexities, and Nitrogen is here to make that journey seamless and impactful.

At Nitrogen, we understand the unique challenges financial advisors face in bridging the gap between clients’ risk perceptions and their portfolio strategies. That’s why our platform is designed to empower you to:

  • Build trust by turning complex risk concepts into actionable insights.
  • Streamline portfolio alignment with precision and clarity.
  • Stand out in a competitive market by delivering a personalized client experience.

Ready to empower your clients and elevate your practice? Discover how Nitrogen helps advisors align client portfolios with their true risk tolerance. Request a Demo Today!