COMPANIES

Fidelity Investments

Office address: 245 Summer Street Boston, MA 02210
Website: www.fidelity.com
Year established: 1946
Company type: financial services
Employees: 75,000+
Expertise: benefits consulting, 401(k), life insurance, IRA, cash management, online trading, HSA, retirement, mutual funds, stock plan services, ETF, business news, investments, stocks, brokerage, bonds, 529 plans, investing, asset management, annuities
Parent company: N/A
Key people: Abigail Johnson (CEO), Rachael Brumund (VP), Bill Thornton (CTO), Kristen Darcy (SVP), Kathryn Condon (EVP), Brian Hurley (SVP), Bill Freitas (head), Amr Abdelhalem (SVP)
Financing status: N/A

Fidelity Investments is a Boston-based multinational financial services firm with over 75,000 employees serving 51.5 million individual investors worldwide. The company operates 216 US Investor Centers and 14 global sites across 11 countries, including India and Ireland. Managing $14.1 trillion in assets, Fidelity offers a broad range of investment, retirement, and financial management services.

History of Fidelity Investments

Fidelity Investments, originally known as Fidelity Management & Research, was formed in 1946 by Edward C. Johnson II to focus on common stock investments. In 1969, the company expanded internationally with the creation of Fidelity International Limited. By 1982, the firm made a significant move into retirement planning by introducing 401(k) products.

Under CEO Abigail Johnson, Fidelity launched the zero-expense Fidelity ZERO Funds and Fidelity Digital Assets in 2018 to support institutional investments in digital currencies. The company celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2021, marking decades of growth and innovation in financial services. The firm was an excellence awardee in the asset manager of the year category at the 2024 InvestmentNews Awards.

Products and Services of Fidelity Investments

Fidelity Investments offers a wide range of financial products and services tailored to meet the needs of individual investors, institutions, and advisors. Key offerings include:

  • retirement plans: 401(k)s, IRAs, and other retirement-focused investment options
  • brokerage services: self-directed trading accounts with access to various asset classes
  • wealth management: personalized financial advisory services for high-net-worth individuals
  • mutual funds: a diverse range of Fidelity-managed funds
  • ETFs: exchange-traded funds for diversified investments
  • financial planning and advice: professional guidance on saving, investing, and retirement planning
  • online trading: a platform for stock, ETF, and options trading
  • cash management: solutions for managing daily cash flow, including Fidelity’s cash management account
  • Fidelity Go®: a robo-advisor offering low-cost, automated portfolio management

Fidelity provides clients with accessible financial services, charging no fees or minimums for retail brokerage accounts. Their team supports customers with financial planning, from daily management to long-term goals.

Culture at Fidelity Investments

Fidelity Investments encourages employees to take smart risks and innovate, fostering a work environment that values diverse perspectives. The company offers flexible benefits that adapt to employees' changing needs throughout their careers. They provide a variety of benefits, including:

  • wealth and savings: 401(k) match, catch-up retirement contributions, student loan assistance, annual profit sharing
  • health and wellness: medical, dental, and vision coverage, prescription drug coverage, 16-week maternity leave, 12-week parental leave
  • work and life: educational assistance, dependent care options, concierge services, a minimum of four weeks paid time off
  • hybrid work schedule: many hybrid roles require onsite work every other week in a Fidelity office

Fidelity Investments is dedicated to creating positive change both within its organization and in the broader community. Through volunteer efforts and sustainability programs, the company promotes social responsibility and environmental stewardship. Its achievements are organized into the following categories:

  • community involvement: completed 1,700 projects, donated over 100,000 school supplies, and supported more than 65,000 students
  • charitable giving: Fidelity Cares® offers employees volunteering opportunities, while Fidelity Charitable® helps donors contribute to over 406,000 charities since 1991
  • education support: pledged $250 million over five years to improve education for underserved communities through the Invest in My Education (ME) initiative
  • sustainability efforts: cut landfill waste by 38%, reduced paper, energy, and water consumption, and added eco-friendly features like green roofs and wildlife gardens to offices

Their diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategy aims to build a truly diverse workforce that strengthens the support offered to employees, clients, and communities. The company helps associates find career paths that align with their unique goals and personalities. Fidelity’s commitment to D&I is reflected in various achievements, including:

  • 42% of new hires in 2023 were people of color
  • $480 million spent with diverse suppliers
  • 84% of employees believe Fidelity fosters an inclusive culture
  • employee groups like ERGs and SIGs support engagement and development

Fidelity offers internships and full-time roles, providing students with the chance to start a fulfilling career alongside top industry professionals. They hire interns across eight key skill areas, ensuring diverse opportunities for growth. They are committed to making a positive impact on its employees and the communities it serves.

About Fidelity Investments CEO Abigail Johnson and Key People

Abigail P. Johnson is chair and CEO of Fidelity Investments, overseeing the firm’s management, brokerage, and other financial services. She started at the company in 1988 in Equity Research and Investments and now manages the firm’s corporate operations and all its business units. Holding a BA from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and an MBA from Harvard Business School, she serves on the boards of Harvard and MIT.

Here are some of the key people leading various departments at Fidelity Investments:

  • Rachael Brumund, VP, manages the Pacific Northwest territory and provides Fidelity Asset Management solutions to financial consultants in the qualified plan business
  • Bill Thornton, chief technology officer, oversees Fidelity's technology strategy and digital infrastructure
  • Kristen Darcy, SVP and head of the asset management board program, manages the processes and resources dedicated to the operation of Fidelity’s fund boards
  • Kathryn Condon, EVP of marketing and advertising channels, leads a team focused on creating innovative marketing experiences for customers
  • Brian Hurley, SVP product lead for conversational AI experiences, focuses on improving digital interactions for customers and associates through AI solutions
  • Bill Freitas, head of technology and global services, leads a global team to develop solutions that improve client and customer experiences
  • Amr Abdelhalem, SVP head of cloud platforms, drives the company’s adoption of cloud computing and advanced digital technologies like AI and DevOps

The Future at Fidelity Investments

Fidelity's research reveals that nonprofit retirement savers have tripled their account balances over the last decade, growing from $70,000 in 2014 to $249,000 in 2023. This steady growth has led to a record number of 401(k) millionaires in Q2, driven by strong markets and consistent contributions. These findings underscore their commitment to enhancing its services and providing long-term financial planning solutions.

Fidelity recently reported that more women are actively investing in stocks, taking greater control of their financial futures through equity investments. Despite this progress, many continue to face financial stress and uncertainty. Fidelity Investments supports women in building lasting wealth by offering customized education and strategies to meet their financial goals.

Displaying 2134 results
Advisers leaving clients in the dark about Roth conversions, poll shows

The majority of investors who work with advisers are not aware that income limits associated with the conversion of a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA will be lifted in January, according to a survey conducted by Fidelity Investments.

RIA NEWS SEP 27, 2009
RIAs' asset management fees at lowest level in a decade, study shows

Registered investment advisers last year reduced their asset management fees to the lowest level in 10 years, according to Rydex/SGI's annual Advisor Benchmarking Study.

RIA NEWS SEP 27, 2009
Fidelity expands clearing business into Canada

Fidelity Investments said this morning it is expanding its clearing business into Canada, with the intention of serving U.S. broker-dealers looking for a toehold in the market, while also targeting Canadian broker-dealers.

MUTUAL FUNDS SEP 20, 2009
William Danoff

Not many mutual fund managers have a 19-year tenure on a fund, and only a handful of them were able to outperform their peers in all three major bear markets of the past two decades.

MUTUAL FUNDS SEP 20, 2009
Fund companies shift focus in managed-payout funds

Managed-payout funds designed to give retirees a steady stream of income landed with a thud when they were introduced ahead of the stock market's swoon, but some mutual fund companies are seeking to breathe new life into the concept.

RIA NEWS SEP 20, 2009
Tax breaks for out-of-state 529 plans unlikely

The Department of the Treasury wants all states that have an income tax and also sponsor a Section 529 college savings plan to offer residents a tax break, no matter what plan they choose, even if it is one from another state.

RIA NEWS SEP 18, 2009
Vanguard charitable fund sees 15% increase in contribution in '09

The Vanguard charitable fund has seen a double-digit increase in contributions this year, while comparable funds at Fidelity and Schwab didn't fare as well.

RIA NEWS SEP 17, 2009
College savings rate found insufficient, but 529s shine

While the recession has taken a toll on Americans' ability to save money for college, there are some encouraging signs from families using Section 529 college savings plans, according to a trio of reports released today as part of College Savings Month.

MUTUAL FUNDS SEP 15, 2009
Morningstar: Mutual funds recoup 90% of assets lost from market collapse

Investment managers are close to making up the ground they lost in the second half of 2008 when investors pulled $251 billion out of mutual funds, according to data released today by Morningstar Inc.

Companies reinstate their 401(k) matches - slowly

Companies are starting to restore matching contributions to their 401(k) plans after extensive cost- cutting and signs of improvement in the economy.

RIA NEWS SEP 13, 2009
Fidelity plans to waive commissions on new RIA assets, cut tech fees

Fidelity Investments, responding to The Charles Schwab Corp.'s June announcement of price reductions for independent advisers and their clients, is rolling out a competing program with a few extra twists.

RIA NEWS SEP 10, 2009
Fidelity to waive commissions on new RIA assets, cut technology fees (UPDATE)

Responding to Charles Schwab Corp.'s June announcement of price reductions for independent advisers and their clients, Fidelity is rolling out a competing program with a few extra twists.

FINTECH SEP 06, 2009
Schwab unveils upgrade to adviser site

Schwab Institutional last week unveiled a significant redesign of its website for financial advisers.

MUTUAL FUNDS SEP 06, 2009
American Funds sets vote on anti-genocide resolution

For the first time, American Funds shareholders this fall will be voting on whether to ask the boards of directors of 16 funds to institute a divestment policy against companies that do business in countries that practice genocide or tolerate crimes against humanity.

RIA NEWS SEP 06, 2009
Marketing efforts from 529 plans accentuate the positive

As the Section 529 college savings plan industry this month enters its most important marketing period, it has turned a blind eye to the unsettling events of the past 12 months.