For more than 80 years, the Society of Financial Service Professionals has been helping individuals, families, and businesses achieve financial security.

With their strong commitment to delivering only those financial products and planning services that are in their clients' best interests, the Society's approximately 15,000 members nationwide are uniquely qualified to assist the public in reaching their future financial goals—today, tomorrow, and into the next millennium.

Society members can provide consumers highest level of ethical assistance with: estate, retirement and financial planning; employee benefits; business and compensation planning; and life, health, disability, and long-term care insurance.

Society members have earned recognized professional credentials in the financial services industry, or are working towards attaining a professional credential.

If you are looking for a professional adviser who has experience, knowledge, and a strong commitment to ethical business practices, look for a member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals.

What is the Society of Financial Service Professionals?

  • The Society of Financial Service Professionals (FSP) is a national network of credentialed professionals working in diverse financial disciplines.
    The Society's core values are "Relationships, Ethics and Education." Its mission is to promote professionalism among its members by delivering top-quality continuing education programming, by establishing and rewarding the highest standards of ethical conduct, and by cultivating mutually beneficial relationships among credentialed financial service professionals.
  • The Society was founded in 1928 by the first CLU graduates of The American College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. From its original 21 members, the Society has grown to approximately 17,000 members who are active in nearly 170 local chapters across the United States.
  • To be eligible for Society membership, a financial service professional must have earned at least one of the following credentials: AEP®,CASL®,CEBS®,CFA®, CIMA®, CFP®, ChFC®, CLF®, CLU®, CPA, CPC, CPCU®, CTFA, Enrolled Actuary, Graduate Degree in Financial Services (MS, MSFS, MSM, MBA, PhD), JD, REBC®, and RHU®. Credentials explained.)
  • Two-thirds of all Society members have earned two or more professional designations.
  • Nearly three-fourths (71 percent) of all Society members have been practicing their profession for more than 20 years.

What does the Society of Financial Service Professionals do for consumers?

The Society is pleased to offer consumers objective information on financial service topics, and to provide a referral to financial advisers who are members in good standing of the Society. These objectives are achieved via:

  • Society Web site - Consumers who log on to www.financialpro.org will find a wealth of information that can help them with their own financial planning issues or educate them about the Society and the financial service profession. Visitors to the site may read feature articles on a number of insurance and life-planning topics, explore a career in financial services, find out how to earn a professional financial service credential or send a message to the Society requesting additional information.
  • National Consumer Referral Service - Consumers (including business owners) who are seeking the help of a credentialed financial service professional are invited to call the Society's toll-free Consumer Referral Service at 1-888-243-2258 or log on to the Society's Web site, www.financialpro.org. They will receive the name and contact information for up to five Society members whose practices are in or near their community. Consumers will not be contacted by these professionals; it is solely the choice of the consumer if and when they wish to initiate contact.
  • Rigorous Code of Ethics - the Society also aids consumers through its unyielding dedication to the highest level of ethical conduct in the practice of the financial service profession. The Society requires unconditional adherence to its strict Code of Professional Responsibility by all of its members. This means that consumers who select a member of the Society as their financial planner can be confident that the planning and ongoing counsel they receive will be guided by the highest level of integrity and competence in the industry.