Product & Service Launches – 3/12/2026

Morningstar Introduces AI Assistant Embedded in Adviser Workflow

Morningstar Inc. introduced an artificial intelligence assistant embedded in Direct Advisory Suite, the firm’s flagship adviser platform. Advisers can also access the assistant through other AI tools they use via Morningstar’s Model Context Protocol connections.

The tool leverages Morningstar’s data and research to provide insights and automate multi-step tasks. Using natural-language requests, advisers can navigate from client setup to portfolio analysis, for instance, which previously required multiple steps and module changes. The AI assistant also supports advisers in completing tasks such as preparing meeting briefs, identifying significant rating changes and turning client statements into proposals.

The initial rollout is available to a subset of U.S.-based Direct Advisory Suite users, with continued enhancements and broader availability anticipated for U.S. and Canadian clients this year, according to the announcement.

WealthBox CRM Platform Adds 3 AI Features

WealthBox, a customer relationship management platform for advisers, announced the addition of three new artificial intelligence features to its system:

• Agents—autonomous background processes that run on schedules or triggers, flag overdue tasks, monitor adviser workflows and act without manual prompting;
• Playbooks—saved prompts that execute complex, multi-step workflows with one click; and
• The AI Assistant—a conversational interface that answers questions about clients and pipelines, drafts personalized communications, prepares meeting briefs and requests confirmation before acting.

FutureVault Unveils AI Insights Engine

FutureVault, a digital vault provider, unveiled AI Advisor Insights Engine, an artificial intelligence-powered platform that converts client documents into real-time intelligence and automated adviser workflows.

The platform, embedded with private large language models, uses document processing and knowledge graph architecture to connect data points across files within a client’s vault. The engine also incorporates granular permissions at the document and data levels, as well as activity logging and compliance controls.

The system can trigger insights for advisers based on onboarding activity that reveals missing or incomplete information, as well as newly added client documents that require adviser follow-up. The engine also triggers actions, such as the production of meeting preparation summaries and secure requests for missing client files.

Alight Adds 2 Platforms to Financial Well-Being and Global Benefits Network

Alight Inc., an information technology and benefits consulting company, announced that Nudge Global and Benifex have joined its Alight Partner Network, an ecosystem of employee benefit products.

Nudge Global is a financial education platform that aims to help employees make more informed financial decisions. Benifex is a global benefits and total rewards platform that helps employers design and deliver total rewards to their employees.

DWS Launches Xtrackers Europe Market Leaders ETF

DWS announced Thursday the launch of the Xtrackers Europe Market Leaders ETF, an exchange-traded fund that seeks investment results corresponding generally to the performance of the STOXX Europe Total Market Leaders Index.

The fund was available for trading on CBOE effective December 23, 2025. It is priced with a net/gross expense ratio of 0.35%.

“European equities combine attractive valuations, diversification benefits and growth potential driven by fiscal stimulus and policy changes,” said Salvador Gomez, head of Xtrackers Sales Americas, in a statement. “As U.S. markets hit 30-year highs in mega-cap concentration, Europe’s global leaders provide a strategic tool to mitigate risk.”

ISS STOXX is the parent company of both the index company and PLANSPONSOR/PLANADVISER.

True Rx Offers Health Cost Control Bundle

True Rx Health Strategists, an Indiana-based pharmacy benefits manager, launched Healthier You, a bundle of three clinical care programs.

The bundle integrates True Rx’s weight management, diabetes management and genetically aware medication matching programs into a single offering. Each program is also available separately.

The weight management offering includes medication optimization, outcome tracking and support for sustainable lifestyle changes. The diabetes management solution allows employees to manage their diabetes in collaboration with a clinical pharmacist. The medication match analyzes 120 genes to help connect patients to the right medications based on their illness and their genetics.

State Street Launches Investment-Grade Public and Private ABS ETF

State Street Investment Management announced the launch of the State Street IG Public & Private ABS ETF, an actively managed exchange-traded fund that primarily allocates to public and private investment-grade asset backed securities, including collateralized loan obligations and residential- and commercial mortgage-backed securities.

According to State Street’s announcement, the fund’s private ABS allocation may include, but is not limited to, securities sourced by Apollo Global Securities LLC. The fund is managed by State Street’s active fixed-income team.

Franklin Templeton Expands TDF Series

Franklin Templeton announced the expansion of its Retirement Advantage target-date-fund series with the addition of the Retirement Advantage Plus Funds, which incorporate private market exposure through a registered mutual fund structure.

The new TDFs apply the same glide path and governance framework as the broader Retirement Advantage series, but provide 8% and 2% allocations to private credit and private real estate, respectively. The private real estate allocation is implemented through the Clarion Partners Real Estate Income Fund Inc., and the private credit allocation is implemented through the Franklin BSP Lending Fund.