Technology is clearly an increasingly important aspect of investors' lives, and as research suggests is generally used more prevalently by younger individuals. But a recent survey has confirmed that, across all age groups, face-to-face contact is still the preferred method of advisor contact.

Technology is clearly an increasingly important aspect of investors' lives, and as research suggests is generally used more prevalently by younger individuals. But a recent survey has confirmed that, across all age groups, face-to-face contact is still the preferred method of advisor contact.

The data was collected as part of John Hancock’s latest Investor Sentiment Survey, which collated over 1,000 investor views on a range of investment choices, life goals and economic outlook.

Matthew Rigatti, vice president at Signator Investors, believes the results are “very positive for the industry” as they reinforce the idea that clients still find value in what advisors bring to the table.

Indeed, the findings echo insights from The Futurewealth Report 2014: Upgrading the Service Delivery, which said that the future-wealthy – those “at the front of a global charge up the wealth curve” - actually tend to place less of an emphasis on digital delivery than on certain advisor attributes.

Jaroslaw Knapik, senior analyst of financial services technology at the global research firm Ovum, spoke to Family Wealth Report earlier this year about how the intensity of focus on information technology in the financial services industry is among the highest compared to other sectors. But Knapik raised an interesting point, saying that, for some advisors, digital enhancements may be disruptive as they fear that technology may claim some parts of their business.

Unsurprisingly, John Hancock's latest survey findings confirm that many investors have used online tools, calculators or quizzes to assess their financial needs in areas such as retirement savings or income (53 per cent), social security strategies (19 per cent), budgeting (16 per cent), life insurance (14 per cent) and college savings (11 per cent).

While a large number – likely younger individuals – reported that they often prefer using the Internet to research for themselves information on financial products, just under half also reported receiving relevant material from financial advisors, for example.

The industry's roster of research on the topic of advisor-client engagement seems to suggest that advisors and investors are using technology collaboratively to share information and communicate effectively. Heightened use of the Internet by investors for research, and their use of online financial tools, it would seem is merely a reflection of how “online” is becoming a key aspect of many parts of life today.