Episode 13: Make WealthTech Open Again
October 21, 2025
52 mins
In the first episode of Zero Basis Points, hosts Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti delve into the complexities of the wealth management industry, exploring the evolution of technology, the challenges of data management, and the value of their podcast as a platform for discussion.
Summary
In Episode 13 of Zero Basis Points, Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti welcome their first guest, Craig Uhlenkott, for a straightforward conversation about how wealthtech has changed and where it’s headed. Craig reflects on 25 years in the industry — from server rooms and early planning tools to open-access custodial platforms and the rise of AI. They discuss what actually makes technology useful for advisors, why data ownership still creates friction, and how proximity to real workflows leads to better products. The episode offers a clear view into the next phase of advisor technology and the role AI will play in shaping it.
Key Topics Covered
- Craig’s 25-year journey through wealthtech — from on-prem software to AI
- How open access and real choice changed the advisor technology landscape
- Why proximity to advisors and real workflows leads to better products
- Best-of-breed vs. all-in-one from a builder’s perspective
- The ongoing challenges around data ownership and painful offboarding
- What the next era of advisor technology will look like as AI becomes foundational
Timecode
00:00 Intro: First guest at Zero Basis Points
00:45 Craig’s 25-year journey in WealthTech
03:00 Inside TD Ameritrade’s approach to technology and innovation
08:10 From server rooms to the cloud: the early days of advisor tech
11:00 Open access, best-of-breed, and why TD Ameritrade stood out
14:00 The power of proximity: building real partnerships with advisors
18:00 Why TD sold Salesforce at a loss — and won bigger
21:00 The CRM debate: still the center of the advisor tech stack?
27:00 Data ownership, data lakes, and vendor risk
33:00 Consolidation, founders, and staying close to the industry
38:00 Best-of-breed vs. all-in-one: finding balance
42:30 The rise of AI tools and the next wave of innovation
46:30 What Craig loves and hates about the wealth management industry
52:00 Closing thoughts & invite to future episodes
About Guest
Craig Uhlenkott
Product Leader and Client Advocate
Craig Uhlenkott is a product strategist with more than 20 years of experience building and supporting SaaS products. Known for being a hands-on, persistent product leader who puts the client first and focuses on creating tools that people actually use. Skilled in Agile work, spotting market needs, understanding the competition, and turning those insights into products that drive real adoption and value. Comfortable working with cross-functional teams and communicating clearly with both technical and business audiences. Experienced across SaaS, crypto, Salesforce, data analytics, product planning, user experience, public speaking, and strategic partnerships.
Where to find Craig Uhlenkott:
If you want to follow Craig’s work or connect directly:
Never Miss an Episode
Subscribe for episode drops, behind-the-scenes notes, and insights
we couldn’t say on air.
On-air archive
Featured episodes
See All Episodes
Conquest of Trial-and-Error
Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti sit down with Brad Frey, Sales Director at Conquest Planning, for a candid look at the state of financial planning tech.
15
AdviseAI Hangover
In this episode, Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti share their insights on what really stood out at Advise AI.
14
Make WealthTech Open Again
Episode 13 brings our first guest, Craig Uhlenkott, for a candid conversation on the evolution, current challenges, and future of wealth management technology.
13
Zero Basis Points
Follow Zero Basis Points on your favourite platform.
Subscribe
Subscribe to get the latest episodes and exclusive content.
© 2025 Zero Basis Points. All rights reserved.
Episode 13: Make WealthTech Open Again
October 21, 2025
52 mins
In the first episode of Zero Basis Points, hosts Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti delve into the complexities of the wealth management industry, exploring the evolution of technology, the challenges of data management, and the value of their podcast as a platform for discussion.
Summary
In Episode 13 of Zero Basis Points, Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti welcome their first guest, Craig Uhlenkott, for a straightforward conversation about how wealthtech has changed and where it’s headed. Craig reflects on 25 years in the industry — from server rooms and early planning tools to open-access custodial platforms and the rise of AI. They discuss what actually makes technology useful for advisors, why data ownership still creates friction, and how proximity to real workflows leads to better products. The episode offers a clear view into the next phase of advisor technology and the role AI will play in shaping it.
Key Topics Covered
- Craig’s 25-year journey through wealthtech — from on-prem software to AI
- How open access and real choice changed the advisor technology landscape
- Why proximity to advisors and real workflows leads to better products
- Best-of-breed vs. all-in-one from a builder’s perspective
- The ongoing challenges around data ownership and painful offboarding
- What the next era of advisor technology will look like as AI becomes foundational
Timecode
00:00 Intro: First guest at Zero Basis Points
00:45 Craig’s 25-year journey in WealthTech
03:00 Inside TD Ameritrade’s approach to technology and innovation
08:10 From server rooms to the cloud: the early days of advisor tech
11:00 Open access, best-of-breed, and why TD Ameritrade stood out
14:00 The power of proximity: building real partnerships with advisors
18:00 Why TD sold Salesforce at a loss — and won bigger
21:00 The CRM debate: still the center of the advisor tech stack?
27:00 Data ownership, data lakes, and vendor risk
33:00 Consolidation, founders, and staying close to the industry
38:00 Best-of-breed vs. all-in-one: finding balance
42:30 The rise of AI tools and the next wave of innovation
46:30 What Craig loves and hates about the wealth management industry
52:00 Closing thoughts & invite to future episodes
About Guest
Craig Uhlenkott
Product Leader and Client Advocate
Craig Uhlenkott is a product strategist with more than 20 years of experience building and supporting SaaS products. Known for being a hands-on, persistent product leader who puts the client first and focuses on creating tools that people actually use. Skilled in Agile work, spotting market needs, understanding the competition, and turning those insights into products that drive real adoption and value. Comfortable working with cross-functional teams and communicating clearly with both technical and business audiences. Experienced across SaaS, crypto, Salesforce, data analytics, product planning, user experience, public speaking, and strategic partnerships.
Where to find Craig Uhlenkott:
If you want to follow Craig’s work or connect directly:
Never Miss an Episode
Subscribe for episode drops, behind-the-scenes notes, and insights
we couldn’t say on air.
On-air archive
Featured episodes
See All Episodes
Conquest of Trial-and-Error
Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti sit down with Brad Frey, Sales Director at Conquest Planning, for a candid look at the state of financial planning tech.
15
AdviseAI Hangover
In this episode, Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti share their insights on what really stood out at Advise AI.
14
Make WealthTech Open Again
Episode 13 brings our first guest, Craig Uhlenkott, for a candid conversation on the evolution, current challenges, and future of wealth management technology.
13
Zero Basis Points
Follow Zero Basis Points on your favourite platform.
Subscribe
Subscribe to get the latest episodes and exclusive content.
© 2025 Zero Basis Points. All rights reserved.
Episode 13: Make WealthTech Open Again
October 21, 2025
52 mins
In the first episode of Zero Basis Points, hosts Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti delve into the complexities of the wealth management industry, exploring the evolution of technology, the challenges of data management, and the value of their podcast as a platform for discussion.
Summary
In Episode 13 of Zero Basis Points, Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti welcome their first guest, Craig Uhlenkott, for a straightforward conversation about how wealthtech has changed and where it’s headed. Craig reflects on 25 years in the industry — from server rooms and early planning tools to open-access custodial platforms and the rise of AI. They discuss what actually makes technology useful for advisors, why data ownership still creates friction, and how proximity to real workflows leads to better products. The episode offers a clear view into the next phase of advisor technology and the role AI will play in shaping it.
Key Topics Covered
- Craig’s 25-year journey through wealthtech — from on-prem software to AI
- How open access and real choice changed the advisor technology landscape
- Why proximity to advisors and real workflows leads to better products
- Best-of-breed vs. all-in-one from a builder’s perspective
- The ongoing challenges around data ownership and painful offboarding
- What the next era of advisor technology will look like as AI becomes foundational
Timecode
00:00 Intro: First guest at Zero Basis Points
00:45 Craig’s 25-year journey in WealthTech
03:00 Inside TD Ameritrade’s approach to technology and innovation
08:10 From server rooms to the cloud: the early days of advisor tech
11:00 Open access, best-of-breed, and why TD Ameritrade stood out
14:00 The power of proximity: building real partnerships with advisors
18:00 Why TD sold Salesforce at a loss — and won bigger
21:00 The CRM debate: still the center of the advisor tech stack?
27:00 Data ownership, data lakes, and vendor risk
33:00 Consolidation, founders, and staying close to the industry
38:00 Best-of-breed vs. all-in-one: finding balance
42:30 The rise of AI tools and the next wave of innovation
46:30 What Craig loves and hates about the wealth management industry
52:00 Closing thoughts & invite to future episodes
About Guest
Craig Uhlenkott
Product Leader and Client Advocate
Craig Uhlenkott is a product strategist with more than 20 years of experience building and supporting SaaS products. Known for being a hands-on, persistent product leader who puts the client first and focuses on creating tools that people actually use. Skilled in Agile work, spotting market needs, understanding the competition, and turning those insights into products that drive real adoption and value. Comfortable working with cross-functional teams and communicating clearly with both technical and business audiences. Experienced across SaaS, crypto, Salesforce, data analytics, product planning, user experience, public speaking, and strategic partnerships.
Where to find Craig Uhlenkott:
If you want to follow Craig’s work or connect directly:
Never Miss an Episode
Subscribe for episode drops, behind-the-scenes notes, and insights
we couldn’t say on air.
On-air archive
Featured episodes
See All Episodes
Conquest of Trial-and-Error
Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti sit down with Brad Frey, Sales Director at Conquest Planning, for a candid look at the state of financial planning tech.
15
AdviseAI Hangover
In this episode, Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti share their insights on what really stood out at Advise AI.
14
Make WealthTech Open Again
Episode 13 brings our first guest, Craig Uhlenkott, for a candid conversation on the evolution, current challenges, and future of wealth management technology.
13
Zero Basis Points
Follow Zero Basis Points on your favourite platform.
Subscribe
Subscribe to get the latest episodes and exclusive content.
© 2025 Zero Basis Points. All rights reserved.
Episode 13: Make WealthTech Open Again
October 21, 2025
54 mins
Episode 13 of Zero Basis Points brings Haik Sahakyan, George Guidotti, and guest Craig Uhlenkott together for a candid look at how wealthtech has evolved — and where it’s heading next. With 25+ years in the industry, Craig shares what actually makes advisor-focused technology work and why data ownership and AI will drive the next phase of innovation.
Summary
In Episode 13 of Zero Basis Points, Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti welcome their first guest, Craig Uhlenkott, for a straightforward conversation about how wealthtech has changed and where it’s headed. Craig reflects on 25 years in the industry — from server rooms and early planning tools to open-access custodial platforms and the rise of AI. They discuss what actually makes technology useful for advisors, why data ownership still creates friction, and how proximity to real workflows leads to better products. The episode offers a clear view into the next phase of advisor technology and the role AI will play in shaping it.
Key Topics Covered
- Craig’s 25-year journey through wealthtech — from on-prem software to AI
- How open access and real choice changed the advisor technology landscape
- Why proximity to advisors and real workflows leads to better products
- Best-of-breed vs. all-in-one from a builder’s perspective
- The ongoing challenges around data ownership and painful offboarding
- What the next era of advisor technology will look like as AI becomes foundational
Timecode
00:00 Intro: First guest at Zero Basis Points
00:45 Craig’s 25-year journey in WealthTech
03:00 Inside TD Ameritrade’s approach to technology and innovation
08:10 From server rooms to the cloud: the early days of advisor tech
11:00 Open access, best-of-breed, and why TD Ameritrade stood out
14:00 The power of proximity: building real partnerships with advisors
18:00 Why TD sold Salesforce at a loss — and won bigger
21:00 The CRM debate: still the center of the advisor tech stack?
27:00 Data ownership, data lakes, and vendor risk
33:00 Consolidation, founders, and staying close to the industry
38:00 Best-of-breed vs. all-in-one: finding balance
42:30 The rise of AI tools and the next wave of innovation
46:30 What Craig loves and hates about the wealth management industry
52:00 Closing thoughts & invite to future episodes
About Guest
Craig Uhlenkott
Product Leader and Client Advocate
Craig Uhlenkott is a product strategist with more than 20 years of experience building and supporting SaaS products. Known for being a hands-on, persistent product leader who puts the client first and focuses on creating tools that people actually use. Skilled in Agile work, spotting market needs, understanding the competition, and turning those insights into products that drive real adoption and value. Comfortable working with cross-functional teams and communicating clearly with both technical and business audiences. Experienced across SaaS, crypto, Salesforce, data analytics, product planning, user experience, public speaking, and strategic partnerships.
Where to find Craig Uhlenkott:
If you want to follow Craig’s work or connect directly:
Never Miss an Episode
Subscribe for episode drops, behind-the-scenes notes, and insights
we couldn’t say on air.
On-air archive
Featured episodes
See All Episodes
Conquest of Trial-and-Error
Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti sit down with Brad Frey, Sales Director at Conquest Planning, for a candid look at the state of financial planning tech.
15
AdviseAI Hangover
In this episode, Haik Sahakyan and George Guidotti share their insights on what really stood out at Advise AI.
14
Make WealthTech Open Again
Episode 13 brings our first guest, Craig Uhlenkott, for a candid conversation on the evolution, current challenges, and future of wealth management technology.
13
Zero Basis Points
Follow Zero Basis Points on your favourite platform.
Subscribe
Subscribe to get the latest episodes and exclusive content.
© 2025 Zero Basis Points. All rights reserved.