FSI was founded in 2004 with a clear mission.
The Financial Services Institute (FSI) has a clear mission to ensure that all individuals have access to competent and affordable financial advice, products and services delivered by a growing network of independent financial advisors and independent financial services firms.
At FSI, everything we do starts and ends with working to create a healthier, more business-friendly regulatory environment for our members, the independent financial services firms and independent financial advisors who provide affordable, unbiased advice to hard-working Main Street Americans.
Our Accomplishments
FSI’s total concentration on advocacy in Washington, D.C. and throughout the U.S. delivers the highest possible return on investment for our members. In the last few years, we have:
Protected
access to your advice that would have been banned by outlawing commissions
Stopped
you from being forced to become an employee of your broker dealer
Grown
our voice in Washington, D.C. and the states by doubling financial advisor membership
Protected
your clients choices of
investment vehicles
Secured
a seat at the regulatory table by electing dozens of FSI members to FINRA committees
On Capitol Hill Our Grassroots Efforts include:
Coordinate
Coordinating in-state meetings, letters and phone calls to elected officials. (In California, for example, our efforts recently led to the successful amendment to a bill that would have threatened advisors independent contractor status.)
Mobilize
Mobilizing financial advisors to raise their collective voice to affect change. (For example, over 5,000 personalized letters to the White House led to the DOL withdrawing their proposed redefinition of
the term fiduciary, preventing millions of Americans to be priced out of financial
advice on their IRAs.)
One Voice
Speaking with one voice and filling a large void in the media to influence the administration, Congress and regulators, both in D.C. and in the states.
Support
Working with members to garner support for advocacy efforts via the FSI PAC.
Meetings
Holding over 260 meetings on Capitol Hill during our last Capitol Hill Day pressing our most critical issues with members of Congress.
Leadership and Governance
Councils and Task Forces
FSI has several advisory councils, each headed by a volunteer member. These councils provide guidance and direction to the FSI board and staff on issues in different areas of the industry: Accounting & Finance, Compliance, HR, Investment Advisory Services, and Operations & Technology.
Our members are our greatest asset in the ongoing effort to successfully engage with regulators and legislators.
FSI Board of Directors
Our 24-person 2023 Board of Directors is led by Scott Spiker.
Scott Spiker
Chairman, First Command
FSI Management Team
The FSI management team is headed by Dale Brown, who has led FSI since 2004.
Dale E. Brown, CAE
President & CEO, Financial Services Institute
Ways to Get Involved
The success of our mission relies on the engagement of our members, the guidance of our leadership and the support of FSI Sponsors.