FSI Announces 2026 Advocacy Priorities

The Financial Services Institute (FSI), the leading advocacy organization for independent financial services firms and independent financial advisors, today announced its 2026 advocacy priorities. These priorities reflect FSI’s continued commitment to creating a healthy regulatory environment that supports independent financial advice, protects investor choice and ensures access to professional financial advice for Main Street Americans.

“The independent financial services industry plays a critical role in helping millions of Americans achieve their financial goals,” said Dale Brown, President and CEO of FSI. “Our advocacy priorities focus on expanding investor access and choice, preserving advisor independence, and supporting a transparent and practical regulatory framework. As our world rapidly evolves, policies and regulations must align with modern business practices, promote innovation and protect investors.”

Each year, FSI develops advocacy priorities focused on the issues directly impacting independent financial advisors, firms and the clients they serve. 

FSI’s 2026 Advocacy Priorities

Defending Advisors’ Independent Contractor Classification

Independent financial advisors are entrepreneurs and small-business owners who have built their businesses within their local communities, providing access to professional financial advice to hard-working Americans. FSI’s 2026 priorities include:

• Engaging with the federal and state policymakers on independent contractor rulemaking and guidance.
• Building support for the Modern Worker Empowerment Act.
• Opposing restrictive state laws that threaten independent business models.

Investor Access & Choice

Americans have diverse financial goals and increasingly complex needs. FSI advocates for policies that expand access to financial advice, products, and services while maintaining strong investor protections. FSI’s 2026 priorities include:

• Promoting regulatory consistency and alignment with the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest.
• Supporting expansion of the accredited investor definition.
• Promote flexible compensation arrangements that support recruiting of the next generation of financial advisors.
• Expanding appropriate access to alternative investments and the private market.
• Advancing clear regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrency.

Modernization & Innovation
As technology evolves and investor expectations shift, rules and guidance must support innovation in modern advisory business models and practices while supporting investor protection. FSI’s 2026 priorities include:

• Supporting practical, innovation-friendly artificial intelligence (AI) and technology regulation.
• Modernizing off-channel communication, e-delivery and recordkeeping requirements.
• Harmonizing cybersecurity and privacy frameworks across federal and state jurisdictions.
• Promoting responsible AI use throughout the financial services industry.

Ending Regulation by Enforcement
FSI has long opposed the use of enforcement activity to establish new regulatory requirements, also known as “regulation by enforcement.” FSI’s 2026 priorities include:

• Advocating for structural reform to ensure transparency and procedural fairness.
• Encouraging durable, principles-based rulemaking grounded in sound economic analysis.

Investor Education & Protection
Financial education is essential to equip Americans with the knowledge that will help them achieve financial security. At the same time, rapidly evolving technology and an aging population have increased the risk of fraud and financial exploitation. Financial advisors are often the first line of defense against financial fraud and exploitation. FSI’s 2026 priorities include:

• Advocating for “report and hold” rules, such as the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act.
• Promoting financial literacy for all ages across the country.
• Advancing efforts to prevent fraud related to AI, deepfakes and digital content scams.

Investment Adviser Advocacy
Investment adviser regulation must reflect modern advisory operations, including the realities facing small firms. FSI’s 2026 priorities include:

• Advocating for modernization of RIA obligations, such as e-delivery, AML and cybersecurity.
• Promoting balanced AML/CFT compliance, minimizing small-firm burdens.
• Supporting harmonization between SEC and state frameworks.