Goldman Sachs continues to make it easier for not only the ultra-rich, but now ordinary consumers as well. For decades, in order for Goldman Sachs to manage your money, you would need to possess at least $10 million. However, things are beginning to change as the bank is preparing digital wealth managements for ordinary consumers with products that could eventually include checking accounts, credit cards and mortgages.
Goldman Sachs are working towards a digital wealth product, which is its first new offering with a Marcus brand that has high-interest savings accounts and personal loans. Surpassing that particular move, Goldman announced on Monday it will be moving Marcus into its investment management division, which is home to the businesses that manage wealth for the ultra-wealthy, who typically hold an average of $50 million.
The firm is also broadening beyond the wealthy families, hedge funds and governments who are its historic clients. Former-president David Soloman outlined his vision for the bank’s retail finance arm back in May, which has the potential to eventually offer wealth management, checking accounts, credit cards and mortgages. Marcus reached $4 billion in loans and $29 billion in deposits within two years by enabling ordinary consumers to earn better-than-average interest or consolidate credit-card debt.
The bank hasn’t officially announced what form the product will take, although people with knowledge of the plans state one option is a robo-advisor. Most robo-advisors contain low or no account minimums to begin investing.
It is likely the company might offer mutual funds and ETFs that would be created in-house via its digital channel. CNBC notes that Goldman already utilizes robo-advisor Betterment in order to distribute a portion of its smart-beta funds. According to a statement from CEO Solomon, President John Waldron and incoming CFO Stephen Scherr, that was part of the logic behind moving Marcus into the investment management division.
“We plan to launch a broader wealth management offering, combining Marcus’ digital capabilities with the more established sales channels and products currently housed within the investment management division,” the executives said in the release.
