The European Federation of Financial Advisers and Financial Intermediaries
FECIF is an independent, non-profit trade association that supports and promotes the role of financial advisers and intermediaries in Europe, whilst also representing them at the highest European levels.
Past Editorials
Simon Colboc
FECIF Secretary-General
Editorial | May 2026
Europe Saves.
Europe Fails to Invest.
The Difference is Advice.
There is a particular kind of policy frustration that comes not from ignorance but from inaction — when everyone in the room agrees on the problem, the evidence is overwhelming, and still…
Michael Herzhofer
AFPA Chairman
Editorial | April 2026
Why tax incentives are the key to closing Europe’s growing pension protection gap
Across Europe—and especially in Austria—the demographic clock is ticking loudly. Societies are ageing at a pace that challenges the financial sustainability of national pension and…
Vania Franceschelli
FECIF Chairwoman
Editorial | March 2026
Financial Advice at the Heart of the Savings and Investment Union
As the European Union advances the Savings and Investment Union (SIU), one element remains central to its success: financial advice. Expanding citizens’ access to capital markets…
by Stefka Topalova,
EFPA General Manager
Financial Advice and Financial Education Must Advance Together
The European policy agenda in financial services has rarely been this consequential. The Savings and Investments Union is taking shape, retail investor protections are being redesigned, and the question of whether ordinary citizens will participate meaningfully in capital markets is being answered in real time. It is in this context that FECIF and EFPA sent a joint letter to Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque in May, prompted by her speech in Helsinki on 10 April. The letter made a careful argument: financial education gives citizens the foundation to understand that financial decisions matter, but professional advice translates that understanding into personalised, suitable decisions. One cannot replace the other. The letter also flagged a concern regulators cannot afford to ignore: the proliferation of unregulated financial content creators reaching millions with advice they are not qualified to give. High-quality regulated advice is one of the most effective safeguards against this risk.
On 30 September 2025, the European Commission launched its EU Financial Literacy Strategy — a milestone FECIF strongly welcomes. Delivery has already begun: expert group meetings kicked off in Q1 2026, practitioner workshops are underway…
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FECIF supports and promotes the financial advisory sector
Charted in 1999, FECIF (The European Federation of Financial Advisers and Financial Intermediaries) is a non-profit trade association that supports and promotes the role of Financial Advisers and Intermediaries in Europe, whilst also representing them at the highest European levels.
Our main activity is to, trough lobbying, carry their point of view to European policymakers and regulators.
FECIF represents…
european financial intermediaries
via
national trade association
operating
across
EU member states
Our mission
News
Latest curated news
Regulation
The European Commission Launches MiCA Review Consultation: What You Need to Know
Maples Group
Regulation
SFDR 2.0: European Parliament Proposals – A Step in the Wrong Direction for Asset Managers?
Ropes & Gray
Browse more News
Events
Upcoming Events
April 21, 2026
FECIF
Financial Advice for Europe’s Future: Empowering Citizens to Save, Invest and Retire
Le Louise Hotel Brussels
Brussels, Belgium
Go to event
May 6-8, 2026
EFPA España
IX EFPA Congress 2026, Mallorca
Palau de Congressos
Mallorca, Spain
Go to event
Sep. 30, 2026
Infopro Digital
La Convention Patrimonia 2026 Lyon
Centre de Congrès de Lyon
Lyon, France
Go to event
About FECIF
Standing up for Independent Advice
Today, FECIF is composed of associations rather than distribution networks, as it was when first chartered. This shift has made us significantly larger and more representative.
Thanks to years of dedicated work, FECIF is now officially recognized as a stakeholder by the European Commission.
FECIF Chairperosn
25 Years Anniversary
25 Years
of achievements
December 2024, FECIF proudly celebrated its 25th anniversary. Since its establishment in 1999 by a group of pioneering entrepreneurs who were shaping the future of financial advice across Europe, the association has evolved significantly."
Today FECIF is a group of associations rather than distribution networks. This has helped us become larger and more representative, but also more exposed to regulation. Thanks to the work of these years, FECIF is today recognized as a stakeholder by the European Commission.
Best example of recent achievements is the discussion on Retail Investment Strategy (RIS) over the past 12 months: FECIF helped identify the problems and present the position of the financial advisors, in very close co-ordination with the work of each individual association with their local regulators, in co-operation with other European associations.
Browse photos from the event
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Become a Member!
Representation
starts with you!
It has become increasingly obvious that the financial advisory sector needs strong representation, not only to help avoid unnecessary and unworkable regulations but also to ensure a level playing field. Without such representation the working environment is likely to become biased in favour of the so called “too-big-to-fail” institutions, and possibly also automated offerings, to the detriment of many advisers and intermediaries.
Who should consider Membership?
All national Trade Associations representing and/or supporting financial advisers and intermediaries should strongly consider FECIF membership, as should individuals involved in the provision of financial advice, where they are not presently represented, or associated with an existing FECIF member.
Any individuals or entities that are looking for support and assistance when dealing with European regulatory affairs, especially if conducting cross-border business in the EU, also benefit significantly from FECIF membership.
Apply for an Active Membership
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shake things up?
Help promote the role of financial advisers & intermediaries in Europe, whilst also representing them at the highest European levels.
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