Personal Capital, a popular wealth management and financial planning platform, recently changed its name to Empower. This rebranding came after the company was acquired by Empower Retirement, one of the largest retirement plan providers in the US. However, the transition to Empower hasn’t been entirely smooth for the company, as it has been facing a major problem with its data aggregation tool Yodlee.
For those who are unfamiliar with Personal Capital, it is a digital wealth management platform that allows users to track their investments, manage their finances, and receive personalized financial advice. The platform was founded in 2009 and quickly gained a loyal following due to its robust features and user-friendly interface. However, in recent years, the company has faced a number of challenges that have led to its fall from grace.
One of the most significant issues facing Personal Capital is the problem with Yodlee, the data aggregation tool that the company relies on to access users’ financial data from their various accounts. Yodlee is a third-party service that is used by many financial apps and platforms, including Mint and Robinhood. However, in recent years, Yodlee has come under fire for its poor data security practices and for the way it handles users’ sensitive financial information.
Personal Capital has been affected by these issues, as the company relies heavily on Yodlee to gather users’ financial data from their bank and investment accounts. When Yodlee experiences issues or outages, it can cause significant disruptions to Personal Capital’s service, leaving users unable to access their financial information or perform transactions on the platform.
According to reports, the issues with Yodlee have been ongoing for some time, and have led to a number of user complaints and negative reviews for Personal Capital. Users have reported problems with connecting their accounts to the platform, missing or inaccurate data, and slow load times. In some cases, users have reported losing access to their accounts entirely, leading to frustration and concern over the security of their financial information.
Personal Capital has acknowledged the issues with Yodlee and has stated that it is working to resolve the problem. However, the company has also faced criticism for its handling of the situation, with some users accusing the company of downplaying the severity of the issue and failing to provide timely updates or solutions.
In addition to the issues with Yodlee, Personal Capital has also faced other challenges in recent years. The company has struggled to keep up with competition from other digital wealth management platforms, such as Betterment and Wealthfront, which offer similar services at lower prices. Personal Capital has also faced criticism over its fees, which some users have deemed too high compared to other platforms.
The fall of Personal Capital serves as a cautionary tale for other digital wealth management platforms and financial apps. The issues with Yodlee highlight the importance of data security and the need for companies to take proactive measures to protect their users’ sensitive financial information. Additionally, the struggles faced by Personal Capital underscore the need for companies to stay competitive in an increasingly crowded market, and to offer compelling features and pricing to attract and retain users.
Despite these challenges, there is still hope for Personal Capital and Empower. The company has a loyal user base and a strong reputation for providing quality financial advice and management services. If the company can resolve its issues with Yodlee and stay competitive with other platforms, there is no reason why it can’t bounce back and continue to grow in the years ahead.
The fall of Personal Capital/Empower is a cautionary tale for anyone involved in the digital financial industry. The issues with Yodlee highlight the risks associated with relying on third-party services for data aggregation, while the struggles f.aced by Personal Capital/Empower underscore the need for companies to stay competitive and innovate in an increasingly crowded market. For users, the current issues serve as a reminder of the importance of data security and the need to remain vigilant when using any financial app or platform.
Alternatives to Personal Capital
- SigFig: SigFig is a digital investment platform that offers investment tracking and management services. The platform allows users to connect all of their investment accounts, including brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, and 401(k)s, and provides real-time updates on portfolio performance. SigFig also offers investment recommendations and financial planning tools to help users achieve their financial goals.
- Morningstar is a financial data and investment research company that offers a range of tools and services to help investors track and manage their investments. The platform provides comprehensive data on thousands of stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs, and offers investment analysis tools and portfolio tracking services. Morningstar also offers investment recommendations and research reports to help investors make informed decisions.
- Mint: Mint is a popular personal finance app that allows users to track their investments, manage their finances, and set financial goals. The platform offers investment tracking tools that allow users to monitor their portfolio performance and asset allocation, as well as view investment news and analysis. Mint also provides a range of other financial management tools, including budgeting, bill payment, and credit score monitoring.
- CoPilot: Copilot is a comprehensive wealth tracking tool that offers a range of features and services to help users manage their finances and investments. While it is a third-party app, CoPilot integrates with a wide range of financial institutions and is designed to be secure and reliable, providing users with peace of mind when it comes to their financial data.
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