Since the downturn in the investment markets in 2008 and 2009, investors have taken more control over their investment portfolios, leading to a growing demand for self-directed options from the wealth management industry, according to a research report released today by Scivantage and Aite Group.

Scivantage, a provider of Web-based, front- and middle-office technology solutions to the financial services industry, and Aite Group, an independent research and advisory firm focused on business, technology and regulatory issues and their impact on the financial services industry, paired up to study the growth in the self-directed investor market and the opportunities that presents to wealth management firms and financial advisors.

"Consumers' increasing desire for control over their financial outlook has led to a growing demand for selfdirected solutions from investors in higher wealth segments," said Alois Pirker, research director at Aite Group and author of the report. "Over the next decade, we anticipate that wealth management firms will provide investors with several multichannel offers to appeal to their growing demand for online access to information and tools. Firms that provide a selfdirected investing solution will hold an advantage over those that do not, as they will be better positioned to capitalize on the latest consumer technologies and online investing innovations."