Asset management is about to go through a particularly dramatic period of disruption, for three reasons.  First, the industry is extremely profitable, and excess profit pools attract competition.  According to BCG, total 2014 annual industry profits were $102 billion globally, flowing from notably high operating margins of 39%.  Second, financial technology venture capital is exploding: CB Insights reports that $19.1b was invested in fintech companies in 2015, vs. $3.9b in 2013. And third, a number of global trends as well as changes unique to the asset management industry are coinciding to force change onto even the most recalcitrant.  The technology and social revolution, globalization, the emerging markets’ wealth, the increased role of women, and the millennials’ changing tastes are an irresistible force meeting a moveable object: traditional asset management industry structure.