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EQ™ Vault

The Explore Qualitative™ (EQ™) Database captures consumer perspectives on the unmet needs, strategic issues and new concepts that shape the future of retail saving, investing and financial advice.

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Series

Innovations in Investment Solutions & Customer Experience Models

2024

Explore the reasons behind households maintaining a growing number of saving and investing relationships and the roles of banking and investing.

Segmentation:

Highest Self-Reported Advice Category
- Uninitiated
- Hybrid
- Fully Advised

Report Modules from this series:

Exercise:
Advice Category Combinations: How Consumers Combine Experiences Reveals Barriers and Tailwinds to Trial & Engagement
Concept Test:
“In-Plan Retirement Income Solution”: Consumer Reactions to the Latest Trends in Guaranteed Income Design to Inform Product Enhancements and Reduce Barriers to Adoption

Money Movement & Strategic Industry Dynamics

2023

Explore 2023 analyzes what “simplicity,” the #1 driver of money movement, means to consumers, as well as industry-level dynamics between asset managers and distributors, reactions to new pricing mechanisms and consumer understanding of managed product structures.

Segmentation:

Life Events
- Wealth-building
- Wealth-eroding
- No life events

Report Modules from this series:

Exercise:
Expectations for Products and Stores: Strategic Responses to Changing Power Dynamics for Asset Managers & Distributors
Exercise:
Pricing Mechanisms: Consumer Perspectives on What’s Worth Paying for, Preferred Ways to Pay, and Surprising Attitudes to “Free”
Exercise:
Features That Deliver Simplicity: Building for the #1 Driver of Money Movement
Concept Test:
“Direct Indexing Managed Account” (vs. Traditional Managed Products like Mutual Funds, ETFs, SMAs): How to Engage Consumers in the Managed Account Structure of the Future

Shopping for Advice on Aging Gracefully

2018

Explore the reasons behind the increase in older consumers moving money, changing needs of an aging population, and industry-level questions about pricing of advice and high levels of cash

Segmentation:

Desired Service Level and Scope of Advice on Inside Advice® Grid
- Level 1/Self Mid & Full Service
- Levels 2&3/Self & Mid Service
- Levels 2&3/Full Service

Report Modules from this series:

Exercise:
Expectations from Workplace vs. Retail Advice
Exercise:
Motivations to Move Cash into Investments
Concept Test:
"Elder Financial Care" aka Periodic vs. Subscription Pricing
Concept Test:
"Home Conversion Mortgage" aka Reverse Mortgage
Concept Test:
"Financial Advice Menu" and Pricing

Talking Finance with Friends:
Insights into Disruptive Trends in Savings, Digital Advice and Asset Management

2018

Explore the influence of friends on investment information and advice among young and middle-aged investors while examining disruptive trends in savings, digital advice and asset management.

Segmentation:

Reliance on Friends for Investing Advice
- Usually Use Friends
- Sometimes Use Friends
- Never Use Friends

Report Modules from this series:

Forecast:
How Friends are Influencing Investment Decisions
Exercise:
Role for Asset Managers
Exercise:
Social Uses of Technology in Investing
Concept Test:
"Banking & Investing Together" with New Saving Techniques
Concept Test:
"Digital Investment Advice with Planning Option"
Concept Test:
"Investment Account for Future Healthcare Expenses" or HSA

The Experience Divide:
How Beliefs & Truths about Investing Experience Affect Loyalty, Attitudes to Advice Descriptions, Active-Passive, HSAs and Education Funding

2017

Explores consumer perceptions of experience with investing, as well as its impact on loyalty to firms or advisors, expectations from advice, attitudes to active vs. passive investing and goal-specific accounts.

Segmentation:

Perceived Experience with Investing
- Experienced
- Middle
- Inexperienced

Report Modules from this series:

Forecast:
Beliefs & Truths about Investing Experience
Exercise:
Expectations from Different Levels of Advice
Exercise:
Loyalty to Firm vs. Advisor
Concept Test:
"Investment Account for Future Health Care Expenses" or HSA
Concept Test:
"Educational Funding for Grandchildren"
Concept Test:
"Hybrid Active-Passive Fund"
Concept Test:
Regulatory: "Change in Mutual Funds Available"

Envisioning the Future of Advice & Guidance:
What Consumers of Different Service Models Value about Current Resources and Envision for Future Pricing

2017

Explores the practical and emotional value of different types of guidance and advice, in the workplace and retail, as well as specific product and solution concepts for retirement, families and choice.

Segmentation:

Mix of “Stores” Used
- Full Service Stores Only
- Mid of Full & Self Stores
- Self Service Stores Only

Report Modules from this series:

Forecast:
Midlife Pressures & Checking Progress to Goals
Exercise:
Roles for Primary & Secondary Sources of Advice
Exercise:
Methods for Paying for Advice
Concept Test:
"Choice Box" aka Inside Advice® Grid
Concept Test:
"Long-Term Retirement Investment"
Concept Test:
"Financial Advice for Non-Traditional Families"

Digital Habits Revealed:
How Older Affluent Investors Blend Live and Online Advice & Reactions To Best Interest Contract and Concepts for Aging

2016

Explores why and how older investors have increased their use of digital resources and where they see their future needs headed, especially regarding “robo-advisors,” income in retirement and fiduciary vs. best interest.

Segmentation:

Blends of Fin Pro & Digital Advice
- Heavy Digital
- Light Digital
- Fin Pro Only

Report Modules from this series:

Forecast:
Digital Options Leading to Choosier Older Consumers
Exercise:
Attitudes to "Robo-Advisors" Among Older Consumers
Exercise:
Blending of Digital and Professional Advice by Pain Point
Concept Test:
"Investment Income Matched to Expense Types"
Concept Test:
"Financial Decision-making Support for Aging"
Concept Test:
Regulatory: "Best Interest Contract"

Unblocking Investor Inertia:
How Trust Looks Like Loyalty and the Strategic Messaging and Solutions to Break Through

2016

Explores goals, relationships, three new solutions and the proposed fiduciary rule from the perspectives of middle-aged investors who are moving money, according to how much value they see in paying for advice.

Segmentation:

Attitudes to Paying for Professional Advice
- See Value
- Middle
- Don't See Value

Report Modules from this series:

Forecast:
Sentiment & Goals
Exercise:
Motivating Advertising Messages
Exercise:
Shopping & Relationships
Concept Test:
"Financial Wellness Subscription Program"
Concept Test:
"Invested Emergency Fund"
Concept Test:
"Investments and Insurance Package" for Gig Workers
Concept Test:
Regulatory: "Proposed Fiduciary Rule"

New Needs, New Competitors, New Solutions:
Young Investors Speak, Revealing the Real Reasons for the “Robos” Emergence & What To Do Next

2015

Examines goals, definitions of success, milestones, needs and attitudes to stores and products among young investors now that “robos” have emerged as packaged solutions with clear pricing.

Segmentation:

Financial Wellness & Price Sensitivity
- Peak Accumulators
- Coasting Investors & Price Averse
- Coasting Investors & See Value in Paying for Advice

Report Modules from this series:

Forecast:
Goals, Definitions of Success & Milestones
Exercise:
Roles for Stores vs. Products
Exercise:
Opportunities for Products
Exercise:
Helps & Hindrances
Concept Test:
"Leading Robos"
Concept Test:
"New Needs Framework"

Funding Life After Work:
Impact of Parenthood & Wealth Transfer on Retirement Solutions for Baby Boomers

2015

Examines needs, expectations, language preferences and reactions to product and services related to drawing capital in retirement. according to family structure and legacy motive.

Segmentation:

Parenthood & Legacy Motive
- Childfree
- Parents Leave Inheritance
- Parents Spend All

Report Modules from this series:

Forecast:
Impact of Family Structure and Legacy Motive on Funding Old Age
Exercise:
Expectations from Products & Stores
Exercise:
Language & Techniques for Generating Income in Retirement
Exercise:
Retirement Funding Highest Needs & Pricing
Concept Test:
"Drawdown Fund"
Concept Test:
"Goals-Based Investing"
Concept Test:
"Overview of Income" for Statements & Digital Views

Life After Work & Fear of the Unknown:
Reviving Product Appeal via Solutions Designed to Smooth Transition from Full-time Employment

2014

Explores the balance of power between packaged products and advisor-assembled solutions in the context of how people nearing retirement view their future lifestyle, incomes, and a target date use case.

Segmentation:

Prefer Packaged Product or Component Parts
- Packaged Product
- Components & Advisor
- Components & Myself

Report Modules from this series:

Forecast:
Looking Ahead to Stopping Full-time Work
Exercise:
The Balance of Power Between Manufacturers & Distributors
Exercise:
Current Investment Products & Influencers
Exercise:
Transition from Accumulation to Income/Preservation
Concept Test:
"Target Date Retirement Fund with Income"
Concept Test:
Packaged Product vs. Components Target Date Retirement Fund Use Case

Optimizing the Last Chapter:
What Pre-Retirees Want from their Money & How “Chunk or Nothing” Behavior Affects Service & Product Design

2014

Explores emotions behind the persistent behavior of either taking chunks of capital or drawing nothing in retirement, set in the context of reasons for seeking different types of advice, by retirement preparedness.

Segmentation:

Pension Status & Retirement Preparedness
- Pensioner
- Non-Pensioner & Likely to Make It
- Non-Pensioners & Ways to Go

Report Modules from this series:

Forecast:
What I Really Wanted to Do All My Life
Exercise:
Retirement Product Advertisements
Exercise:
Retirement Advice: Service-Pricing Spectrum
Exercise:
George & Nina's Reasons for Seeking Help
Exercise:
Chunk or Nothing: Sorting out Emotion & Reasons Behind Dipping into Principal
Concept Test:
Regulatory: "FINRA IRA Oversight"
Concept Test:
Regulatory: "Proposed In-Plan Income Product Guidance"

Surprises of Modern Retirement:
How Pension Status & Timing of Retirement are Key to Approaching the Biggest Segment of U.S. Investors

2013

Explores how the end of pensions and clarity on the timing of stopping work will change old age, by discussing income sources, advice and products with people who have first-hand experience with these dynamics.

Segmentation:

Pension Status & Control of Retirement Timing
- Pensioner
- Non-Pensioner & Earlier than Planned
- Non-Pensioner & As Planned

Report Modules from this series:

Forecast:
Experiences & Surprises of Retirement
Exercise:
Relationship History
Exercise:
Competitive Perceptions of Product/Service Quality & Price
Exercise:
Sources of Funds aka "Retirement Income"
Concept Test:
"Retirement Transition Services"
Concept Test:
"Couples Planning"

Explore Qualitative Modules by Type

Forecast modules

Forecast modules

How Friends are Influencing Investment Decisions
Beliefs & Truths about Investing Experience
Midlife Pressures & Checking Progress to Goals
Sentiment & Goals
Digital Options Leading to Choosier Older Consumers
Impact of Family Structure and Legacy Motive on Funding Old Age
Goals, Definitions of Success & Milestones
What I Really Wanted to Do All My Life
Looking Ahead to Stopping Full-time Work
Experiences & Surprises of Retirement

Exercise modules

Exercise modules

Advice Category Combinations: How Consumers Combine Experiences Reveals Barriers and Tailwinds to Trial & Engagement
Expectations for Products and Stores: Strategic Responses to Changing Power Dynamics for Asset Managers & Distributors
Pricing Mechanisms: Consumer Perspectives on What’s Worth Paying for, Preferred Ways to Pay, and Surprising Attitudes to “Free”
Features That Deliver Simplicity: Building for the #1 Driver of Money Movement
Role for Asset Managers
Social Uses of Technology in Investing
Expectations from Workplace vs. Retail Advice
Motivations to Move Cash into Investments
Expectations from Different Levels of Advice
Loyalty to Firm vs. Advisor
Roles for Primary & Secondary Sources of Advice
Methods for Paying for Advice
Motivating Advertising Messages
Shopping & Relationships
Attitudes to "Robo-Advisors" Among Older Consumers
Blending of Digital and Professional Advice by Pain Point
Expectations from Products & Stores
Language & Techniques for Generating Income in Retirement
Retirement Funding Highest Needs & Pricing
Roles for Stores vs. Products
Opportunities for Products
Helps & Hindrances
Retirement Product Advertisements
The Balance of Power Between Manufacturers & Distributors
Current Investment Products & Influencers
Transition from Accumulation to Income/Preservation
Retirement Advice: Service-Pricing Spectrum
George & Nina's Reasons for Seeking Help
Chunk or Nothing: Sorting out Emotion & Reasons Behind Dipping into Principal
Relationship History
Competitive Perceptions of Product/Service Quality & Price
Sources of Funds aka "Retirement Income"

Concept Test modules

Concept Test modules

“In-Plan Retirement Income Solution”: Consumer Reactions to the Latest Trends in Guaranteed Income Design to Inform Product Enhancements and Reduce Barriers to Adoption
“Direct Indexing Managed Account” (vs. Traditional Managed Products like Mutual Funds, ETFs, SMAs): How to Engage Consumers in the Managed Account Structure of the Future
"Elder Financial Care" aka Periodic vs. Subscription Pricing
"Banking & Investing Together" with New Saving Techniques
"Digital Investment Advice with Planning Option"
"Investment Account for Future Healthcare Expenses" or HSA
"Home Conversion Mortgage" aka Reverse Mortgage
"Financial Advice Menu" and Pricing
"Investment Account for Future Health Care Expenses" or HSA
"Educational Funding for Grandchildren"
"Hybrid Active-Passive Fund"
Regulatory: "Change in Mutual Funds Available"
"Choice Box" aka Inside Advice® Grid
"Long-Term Retirement Investment"
"Financial Advice for Non-Traditional Families"
"Investment Income Matched to Expense Types"
"Financial Wellness Subscription Program"
"Invested Emergency Fund"
"Investments and Insurance Package" for Gig Workers
Regulatory: "Proposed Fiduciary Rule"
"Financial Decision-making Support for Aging"
Regulatory: "Best Interest Contract"
"Leading Robos"
"Drawdown Fund"
"Goals-Based Investing"
"Overview of Income" for Statements & Digital Views
"New Needs Framework"
"Target Date Retirement Fund with Income"
Regulatory: "FINRA IRA Oversight"
Packaged Product vs. Components Target Date Retirement Fund Use Case
Regulatory: "Proposed In-Plan Income Product Guidance"
"Retirement Transition Services"
"Couples Planning"
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By clicking “I Agree”, you agree to our terms of use and that you have read our privacy policy.

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