Every industry has leaders – people who go above and beyond to set new standards that others strive towards. In Canadian financial services, these people are the Fellows of CSI (FCSI®).
The FCSI is the highest honour and most senior credential in Canadian financial services. It is reserved solely for an elite group of experienced financial services professionals that meet the highest standards for advanced education, ethical conduct, industry experience and peer endorsement.
Want to learn more about the FCSI? Click to download the FCSI brochure.
Want to apply for the FCSI? Click to download an application form.
Please visit www.fcsi.ca for more information about becoming an FCSI or to search the FCSI Member Directory
As an FCSI, you're part of an elite group of distinguished leaders in financial services. In addition to industry-wide recognition and respect from clients, employers and industry peers, your Fellow allows you access to the following benefits:
- Rights to the prestigious FCSI trademarks and logos ("FCSI" and "Fellow of CSI") for use on business cards, stationery, your website and other marketing materials
- Personalized listing on the online FCSI Directory
- CSI national advertising campaign that elevates the prestige and profile of the Fellow among the industry and the investing public
- Exclusive access to insights from the FCSI Advisory Council
- Automatic membership to the FCSI Alumni group, providing you access to special resources (e.g., client brochures, advertising templates, articles/thought pieces and white papers)
- Opportunities to build your leadership profile by teaching seminars, writing articles, writing/reviewing exams and mentoring
- FCSI LinkedIn group to network with other distinguished leaders
- Front-of-the-Line VIP Customer Service from CSI
To become a Fellow of CSI, you will be assessed under the following categories of education, experience and ethics.
Education
In order to earn your FCSI you must meet the following education requirements:
- Already hold 1 of the following designations:
- Personal Financial Planner (PFP®)
- Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM)
- Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®)
- Canadian Investment Manager (CIM)
- MTI Estate and Trust Professional (MTI®)
- Derivatives Market Specialist (DMS®)
- Financial Management Advisor (FMA®)
- Fellow, Institute of Canadian Bankers (FICB®)
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®)
- Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)
- Registered Financial Planner (RFP)
- *External Designation Recognitions are subject to CSI's External Designation Recognition policy and fee.
- Financial Services Industry: Business Drivers and Challenges (FSDC) course
- Complete 2 courses from the following list of eligible courses: (These courses must be from a different stream than that leading to the Designation(s) you already hold.)
- Estate and Trust Administration (ETA)
- Financial Planning II (FPII)
- Wealth Management Essentials (WME)
- Investment Management Techniques (IMT)
- Portfolio Management Techniques (PMT®)
- Advanced Estate Planning and Trust Strategies (AETS)
- Advanced Retirement Management Strategies (ARMS)
- Advanced Derivatives Market Strategies (ADMS)
- Advanced Investment Strategies (AIS)
- Derivatives Fundamentals Course (DFC®)
- Financial Markets Risk Management Course (FRM)
- Technical Analysis Course (TAC)
- Options Supervisors Course (OPSC)
- Commodities as Investments (CAI)
- Chief Compliance Officers Qualifying Examination (CCO)
- Branch Managers Course (BMC)
- Branch Compliance Officer's Course (BCO)
- Partners, Directors and Senior Officers Course (PDO)
- Trader Training Course (TTC)
- Derivatives Fundamentals and Options Licensing Course (DFOL)
- LLQP Insurance Course (LIC) or The Canadian Insurance Course
The following Professional Banking courses (for those who have previously completed them or are currently in a cohort) are also accepted:
- Bank Financial Risk Management (0015)
- Human Resources Management (0016)
- Global Financial Systems and Markets (0018)
- Using ITechnology to Gain Competitive Advantage (0019)
- Financial Services Marketing (0020)
- Strategic Thinking (0029)
View which courses can be used towards your FCSI by designation
Experience
The experience component of FCSI requirements demands that you:
- Have 7 years of financial services work experience within the past 10 years
Endorsement
On your application you must provide contact information for an individual who will endorse your application who is either:
- A direct supervisor; or
- A sponsor who is a practicing FCSI®. If you don't yet have a sponsor, pair up with one through the FCSI Mentoring program.
Ethics
As an FCSI, you are required to uphold the highest ethical standards and set the code of conduct in your field. As part of your initial application and your maintenance requirements, you must sign an Ethical Conduct Statement.
Application
- Complete the FCSI application form, which includes confirmation of your work experience and your endorsement.
*External Designation Recognitions are subject to CSI s External Designation Recognition policy and fee.