Fi360 is at it again, adding new modules to its Fiduciary Essentials for Advisors (FEA) training program “to help financial professionals successfully operate in the ever-changing regulatory and market landscape.”
The high-profile fiduciary-related education and technology provider notes that the FEA program was originally launched in September 2016 to provide baseline fiduciary education and training in response to what it says was “unprecedented market demand and has now expanded to address additional needs highlighted by existing enterprise clients.”
Claiming 35,000 financial professionals trained already, the self-paced program offers professional development and educational opportunities, as well as risk and liability mitigation for institutions.
“The regulatory landscape continues to evolve, and while parts of the Department of Labor Fiduciary Rule (DOL Rule) are on hold, the updated fiduciary definition and Impartial Conduct Standards are in effect for retirement accounts,” John Faustino, AIFA, PPC, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at Fi360, said in a statement. “Beyond the regulatory changes, fiduciary has hit the mainstream, creating strong market forces favoring fiduciary advice with wealth accounts, too.”
The company says the updated offering reflects Fi360’s commitment” to continually enhancing its training tools for financial professionals. Existing modules on fiduciary and non-fiduciary services, prohibited transactions and IRA rollover considerations associated with the new DOL Rule have been refreshed.
New modules include an introduction to 401(k) plans and a review of 2017 fiduciary activity. A module detailing fiduciary responsibilities associated with health savings accounts will be released this spring. The FEA program can be customized for each institution’s needs.
“Fi360 remains dedicated to enabling profitable implementation of prudent fiduciary practices. These FEA updates are just the start of many exciting things to come for our clients in 2018,” Faustino added.
With more than 20 years serving financial markets, John Sullivan is the former editor-in-chief of Investment Advisor magazine and retirement editor of ThinkAdvisor.com. Sullivan is also the former editor of Boomer Market Advisor and Bank Advisor magazines, and has a background in the insurance and investment industries in addition to his journalism roots.
