The financial services firm Edward Jones won the technology category for large broker/dealers at the 2016 WealthManagement.com Industry Awards. The award recognized Edward Jones for being the first large, financial services firm to introduce two-way texting with clients that meets industry regulations, a challenge some in the industry assumed insurmountable.

Edward Jones introduced two-way texting with clients in late 2015, leveraging existing messaging features available to branches. After clients verify their phone number and opt in to their preferred services, they can begin texting with Edward Jones, receive alerts and get appointment reminders on their cell phones. Nearly half of financial advisors now have texted with clients, with all communications archived and monitored for compliance purposes.

“This is something our clients, especially younger clients, want,” said Roy L. Parker, financial advisor. “At Edward Jones, we deliver excellent service by meeting client needs. We communicate and do business with them in ways they choose that are most convenient for them. Then we help them meet their most important financial goals.”

The 2016 WealthManagement.com Industry Awards recognize outstanding achievement, innovation and support among vendors and suppliers serving the financial advisor industry. In its second year, the awards were distributed to 51 firms in the wealth management and asset management space, out of 300 companies that applied and 400 nominations.

Edward Jones has won a number of accolades for its client experience. In 2016, that includes: top financial services website from the Web Marketing Association’s 17th-annual Web Awards; and top full-service investment firm providing clarity about fees as well as unbiased and understandable advice and service for investors, from research firm Hearts & Wallets.