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
Move over, Robinhood — Fidelity democratizes investing for teens
FINTECH MAY 18, 2021
Move over, Robinhood — Fidelity democratizes investing for teens

Teens will be able to trade U.S.-listed stocks, Fidelity mutual funds and most exchange-traded funds, with no account fees or commissions.

Why is LPL's biggest branch starting its own broker-dealer?
Why is LPL's biggest branch starting its own broker-dealer?

Private Advisor Group has taken the unusual step of launching its own broker-dealer with the intention of putting it in better position to grab referrals.

Market volatility focuses attention back on inflation risks
RIA NEWS MAY 14, 2021
Market volatility focuses attention back on inflation risks

The historic government spending, combined with wage pressures, could be the catalyst for runaway inflation, according to experts. The S&P 500 Index, which is still up 9.5% from the start of the year, fell by nearly 4% early this week.

As companies inch closer to returning to the office, flexibility is key
RIA NEWS MAY 07, 2021
As companies inch closer to returning to the office, flexibility is key

Financial services companies have generally adopted remote work policies, but as offices reopen, the next issue becomes who is and isn't vaccinated.

Proxy voting adds ESG leverage to retirement plans
RIA NEWS MAY 04, 2021
Proxy voting adds ESG leverage to retirement plans

A new Morningstar report presents proxy voting as a backdoor entry to ESG investing for retirement plan participants. As advocates pressure for simpler proxy voting procedures, retail investors could gain considerable leverage.

Bitcoin bears: Financial advisers still cautious of crypto
FINTECH MAY 03, 2021
Bitcoin bears: Financial advisers still cautious of crypto

Hype from retail and institutional investors on digital assets isn’t enough to sway skeptical advisers who are weighing the risk and reward of crypto before adding the asset class to clients' portfolios.

New investors strain online brokerages: J.D. Power
FINTECH APR 28, 2021
New investors strain online brokerages: J.D. Power

Account openings at online brokerages have skyrocketed, but the number of problems cited by customers have doubled during the past year.

Fidelity opens securities lending platform to all comers
EQUITIES APR 28, 2021
Fidelity opens securities lending platform to all comers

The agency lending platform joins a compact group of less than a dozen companies that enable funds to lend securities to be sold short.

Morgan Stanley sells ETrade's custody business in $55 million deal
RIA NEWS APR 20, 2021
Morgan Stanley sells ETrade's custody business in $55 million deal

CEO James Gorman never could muster much enthusiasm for ETrade Advisor Services, which would have been a direct competitor to the bank's 16,000 financial advisers.

Bitcoin ETF line gets longer; eight issuers file with SEC
ALTERNATIVES APR 14, 2021
Bitcoin ETF line gets longer; eight issuers file with SEC

ETF issuers are betting en masse that U.S. regulators will green-light a fund tracking the largest cryptocurrency.

Fidelity plans to hire 4,000, including 1,000 licensed reps
Fidelity plans to hire 4,000, including 1,000 licensed reps

The giant asset manager also intends to add technology workers at operations centers.

Why Michael Bolton is crooning over online brokerages
OPINION APR 05, 2021
Why Michael Bolton is crooning over online brokerages

The advertisement is just the latest ploy in an industry war over the throngs of retail investors flocking to digital wealth platforms. The new account openings will certainly have repercussions.

For RPAs thinking about selling, there may be no time like the present
For RPAs thinking about selling, there may be no time like the present

Over the past several years, the pace of dealmaking has accelerated, and valuations for desirable RPAs have climbed to earnings multiples that not long ago would have stunned buyers and sellers. That makes the present a very good time to consider becoming part of a larger firm.

Wave of PEPs hits the market
Wave of PEPs hits the market

In the past week alone, at least three PEPs have been announced. Those include plans from American Trust, Access Retirement Solutions and a new entity from venture capital firm Magis Capital Partners, Sallus Retirement.

Fidelity Spire offers unlimited free trades
FINTECH MAR 29, 2021
Fidelity Spire offers unlimited free trades

The app is focused on capturing the influx of young investors that are now seeking out financial services. Fidelity Spire is 'goal-based' and enables users to track progress on financial goals by linking their accounts.