Finanza & Futuro Banca, the Italian financial advisor network which is owned by Deutsche Bank, is piloting a new initiative whereby advisors will use an iPad advisory suite for illustrative purposes in their interactions with clients.

The new initiative using Finantix Wealth Apps has been credited by Finanza & Futuro Banca’s senior management as having made communications between advisors and clients more engaging and efficient.

The ascendancy of tablet and smartphone-based applications has been marked in recent times, as firms look for ways to make client-advisor relations and communications such as portfolio valuations more interactive and convenient. While some view such facilities as a nice “add on” to conventional wealth management services, Alessandro Tonchia, founder and director of Finantix, sees them as absolutely fundamental to the future of the industry.

"Making the advisory process relevant, fast and even entertaining is a key objective for all players in the industry. We envision a future in which tablets will be the primary channel for client-advisor interactions,” he said.

In related news, this week has also seen Baring Asset Management launch a new application for iPhones and iPads which allow investors to view Barings’ fund prices “on the go.” Such launches are coming thick and fast as firms move to accommodate the demands of an increasingly technology-savvy client base.