If there’s one thing that rings true year after year, it’s this: the T3 Technology Tools for Today Conference is the destination for discovering what’s shaping the future of financial advice. Held in Dallas this year, the 2025 T3 Conference buzzed with excitement, insight, and innovation, and we were there to capture it all on the Hot & Happening podcast series, recorded live at the bustling T3 Podcast Station.

In this special three-part podcast, hosted by Derrick Kinney of Success for Advisors and guest host Jonny Swift of Impact Communications, listeners are treated to front-row access to the conversations that matter most in wealthtech today.

From major fintech rollouts to forward-thinking advisor strategies, the series showcases interviews with some of the #T32025 attendees, including:

[0:58 – 12:02] Bob Veres of Inside Information
[12:03 – 21:32] Ned Dane of AdvisorEngine
[12:33 – 29:40] Kevin Knull of TaxStatus
[29:41 – 36:46] Dave Goes of Advyzon Enterprise
[36:47 – 45:09] Peter Stanton of GetWyz
[45:10 – 51:19] Craig Cintron of Goldman Sachs
[51:20 – 59:26] Laura Jordan (Barger) of BetaNXT
[59:27 – 1:06:12] Rob Bandy of FINIAT
[1:06:13 – 1:13:44] Bridget Grimes of Equita Financial Network

_{(Use player below to listen to Part 2 of the Hot & Happening podcast series)}

Stay tuned for Part 3 with even more great conversations!

Key Themes and Talking Points from Part 2

1. AI’s Rapid Evolution and Real-World Impact

• AI Goes Mainstream: This year’s conference highlighted how artificial intelligence is moving from theory to practical, daily use. The “low-hanging fruit” of AI—like meeting transcription, summarization, and turning unstructured text into actionable data—is already transforming how advisors work.
• Natural Language Interfaces: The next big leap will be AI integrated directly into software user interfaces, letting advisors issue natural language commands (e.g., “rebalance this portfolio”). While early attempts may be imperfect, this shift promises to simplify complex workflows and unlock powerful features.

2. Data Centralization and the Rise of the “App Future”

• Unified Data Warehouses: A major trend is the movement toward centralizing all client data in one place, allowing different applications to seamlessly interact and build on top of this unified data source.
• App Ecosystems: The vision is for a future where advisors can mix and match “apps” that sit atop a shared data warehouse. This model is just beginning to take shape but is expected to disrupt both established players and current disruptors.

3. Shift from Back Office to Client-Facing Innovation

• Front Office Empowerment: For the first time, most fintech solutions showcased at T3 are designed to improve the advisor-client relationship, not just streamline back-office operations. Tools are now focused on making the client experience richer and more efficient.
• Service as the New Marketing: The new marketing paradigm is about delivering exceptional service. Well-served clients become “raving fans,” driving referrals and organic growth. Technology is enabling advisors to serve more clients more deeply, enhancing both efficiency and client satisfaction.

4. Smarter, Data-Driven Decisions for Advisors

• Survey Insights: Large-scale industry surveys are providing actionable insights on market share, user satisfaction, and emerging trends. Advisors are increasingly moving away from the largest, most established platforms toward highly-rated, innovative solutions that better meet their needs.
• Continuous Disruption: Even the newest disruptors must stay vigilant, as the pace of innovation means today’s upstarts can quickly be overtaken by even more agile and visionary solutions.

5. Collaboration and Curiosity as Industry Drivers

• Collaborative Culture: T3 stands out for its unique, collaborative environment. Vendors, advisors, and innovators come together not just to sell, but to partner, integrate, and solve real-world problems. This spirit of openness accelerates innovation and keeps everyone focused on improving outcomes for advisors and their clients.
• Curiosity and Exploration: The conference encourages a culture of curiosity, where both established and emerging firms are motivated to explore new partnerships, integrations, and ideas.

6. Practical Advice for Navigating Fintech Overload

• Start with Pain Points: Advisors should begin by identifying their specific pain points, then seek out solutions that directly address those needs.
• Targeted Research: Rather than wandering the exhibit hall aimlessly, advisors are encouraged to use exhibitor lists to plan focused conversations with vendors, treating them as practice management consultants who can offer tailored advice—even if that means recommending a competitor.
• Leverage Free Consulting: Many fintech vendors are eager to help advisors solve problems, sometimes even pointing them toward other solutions if it’s a better fit.