Trading commissions are down to zero. So are interest rates. But the wealth-management industry has something to help offset those pressures, a newfangled technology called human beings.

Goldman Sachs ’ latest move into wealth management was to acquire Folio Financial, whose business includes providing custody and technology services to independent registered investment advisers, known as RIAs. In earnings terms, this won’t be a big event for giant Goldman. But it does shed light on a new strategic direction for the wealth business.