A lot of firms are choosing to take the scale and efficiency they get and reinvest that into additional services for their clients as opposed to achieving higher margins. The good news is that firms are not taking a hit to their margins as they aspire to offer add other services to maintain their differential In other words, they’re choosing to differentiate themselves more on services than on lowering their fees.”

Jon Beatty, senior vice president, sales and relationship management, Schwab Advisor Services