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 2127 results
Fidelity fends off suit over 401(k) access fees for fund managers
Fidelity fends off suit over 401(k) access fees for fund managers

The plaintiffs maintained that Fidelity was a fiduciary to the plan in respect to the selection of investment options, but courts did not buy that argument. Separately, New York Life and USI Insurance face new 401(k) lawsuits.

Beyond adoption: Wealthtech finally eyes innovation
Beyond adoption: Wealthtech finally eyes innovation

Wealthtech has finally graduated from forcing adoption to focusing on innovative ways to bring financial advice into users' pockets.

Women make up 14% of all fund managers, and the U.S. lags behind that global average
INVESTING ETFS MAR 12, 2021
Women make up 14% of all fund managers, and the U.S. lags behind that global average

Morningstar data show women are making little progress breaking into the ranks of portfolio managers.

Moving past the pandemic
NEWS OPINION MAR 12, 2021
Moving past the pandemic

The financial services industry relied on technology and innovation to adapt and keep business running throughout the pandemic, and should continue to embrace much of what was learned.

Getting equity comp? Better have a financial plan, report finds
Getting equity comp? Better have a financial plan, report finds

Companies that compensate workers with stock have a big incentive to get those employees to consider the holdings in the context of their overall financial plan, according to Fidelity.

Wells Fargo, Schwab put Covid-19 vaccine plans in place
Wells Fargo, Schwab put Covid-19 vaccine plans in place

The companies are the latest that work with thousands of financial advisers to make plans for employees or work with local officials to ease the introduction of vaccines.

Fidelity talking to local officials about vaccine distribution
Fidelity talking to local officials about vaccine distribution

Local governments have begun reaching out to Fidelity to explore a potential role to assist with the logistics of distributing the vaccines, according to a spokesperson.

Educators, hit hard by Covid, are leaving jobs and worried about retirement
Educators, hit hard by Covid, are leaving jobs and worried about retirement

More than half are seriously considering leaving the profession or retiring early. A third of those thinking about leaving for other fields were tenured professors.

Paychex has 1,000 clients for its PEP, company says
Paychex has 1,000 clients for its PEP, company says

Most of the new PEPs clients have not previously offered a retirement plan to their employees, often because of the administrative burden of setting up a 401(k).

401(k) lawsuit update: 2 dismissals, 2 settlements
401(k) lawsuit update: 2 dismissals, 2 settlements

Abbott Labs and Genentech won dismissals in cases against them, although plaintiffs can refile their complaints. Cerner Corp. and BlackRock have reached settlements in class-action cases against them.

401(k) savings went up in 2020, but so did retirement worries
401(k) savings went up in 2020, but so did retirement worries

Despite new figures showing higher savings rates and account balances, just over half of people said they are worried about how the pandemic will affect their financial security in retirement.

Fidelity hosts a Reddit AMA — but Robinhood steals the show
Fidelity hosts a Reddit AMA — but Robinhood steals the show

More than 1,300 comments from Redditors flooded the discussion, yet trading education was largely outshined by comments comparing Fidelity’s mobile app interface to Robinhood's.

Fidelity launches ESG friendly tool for advisers
Fidelity launches ESG friendly tool for advisers

Fidelity's new technology is designed to help advisers create ESG model portfolios and engage clients with impact investing.

Fidelity launches pooled employer plan
Fidelity launches pooled employer plan

Fidelity Investments became the latest to register with the Department of Labor as a pooled plan provider. The PEP, which appears to target small businesses, could significantly boost the company’s presence in that market – the bulk of Fidelity’s defined-contribution plan business is with large employers.

Fidelity executive leading $3.6 trillion Personal Investing group retires
Fidelity executive leading $3.6 trillion Personal Investing group retires

After 12 years as president of the division, Kathleen Murphy, 57, will depart this summer; her successor has not yet been named.