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
Stefka Topalova,
EFPA General Manager
Editorial | June 2026
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…
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…
by Martin Klein,
Deputy Chairman of FECIF,
Executive Director of VOTUM
When the Chatbot Becomes the Broker: Artificial Intelligence, Financial Intermediation, and the Regulatory Vacuum Europe Cannot Afford to Ignore
Artificial intelligence is reshaping e-commerce with a speed that few regulatory frameworks were designed to absorb. In sector after sector — retail, travel, healthcare, legal services — AI-powered systems are stepping into roles that were previously occupied by licensed, regulated, and accountable professionals. Financial services are no exception.
VOTUM has formally documented to the BaFin and the DIHK that ChatGPT and Claude are recommending specific insurance products from named providers to consumers, complete with tariff designations, justifications based on apparent needs assessments, and directions on where a contract can be concluded. Under the Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD) and its national implementing legislation, this constitutes insurance mediation requiring authorisation. Every licensed intermediary in Europe knows this framework intimately…
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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
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Events
Upcoming Events
Sep. 30, 2026
Infopro Digital
La Convention Patrimonia 2026
Centre de Congrès de Lyon
Lyon, France
Go to event
Oct. 15, 2026
AFPA
AFPA Market Dialogue (Hybrid)
Novotel Vienna Central Station
Vienna, Austria
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Oct. 15-22, 2026
EFPA Poland
EFPA Poland Conference, Online & Warsaw
The Tides
Warsaw, Poland
Go to event
Oct. 21-22, 2026
EFPA Italia
EFPA Italia Meeting, Florence
Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Florence, Italy
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Browse all upcoming events
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
.
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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