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Company Overview
and Insight

Our Mission

The Financial Advisor Training Institute’s (FATI) mission is to restock a depleting talent pool of qualified Financial Advisors in the United States by creating a consistent learning environment that teaches:

  • Professionalism

  • High ethical standards

  • Sophisticated investment and insurance knowledge

  • Proper sales and client interaction skills

financial advisor training institute office building

The Institute will train 250,000 new Financial Advisors over the next 15 years. Our intent is not to save a for-profit industry but rather to keep a profession critical to the financial well-being of the U.S. economy and the American public at large thriving because future generations deserve sound financial advice.

How The Financial Advisor Training Institute Works

a financial advisor training a student

Candidates who successfully complete the curriculum will earn their Credentialed Financial Advisor certificate. Benefits consist of secured placement with a high-quality financial firm with a full compensation package if they choose. In some cases, a hiring firm will reimburse the cost of the course fees to the candidate. FATI also support certificants with career placement services, guaranteeing a placement; helping graduates land the job their looking for, or jump-starting their career change. Candidates going through the FATI curriculum have a survival rate 4x the current industry average. Certificants accelerate earning potential by more than 2½ - 3 years due to education, preparation, and resources provided by FATI.

The curriculum is offered as an accelerated intensive program consisting of weekly business development and acceleration activities, educational topics, as well as all licensure needed to practice. Those earning certifications are positioned to be sustainable and viable contributors and/or owners to the profession. These licenses include:  State Life & Health, SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 licenses and exams.

State Life & Health

SIE

Series 7

Series 66

Three types of candidates enroll in the FATI program.  Those who need sponsorship to become fully registered and appointed with a broker-dealer immediately, those who do not need sponsorship as they are sponsored by another broker-dealer who will ultimately be their employer. Finally, those who do not need licensure or sponsorship but desire business development tools and training for their professional growth. Program fees may be offset by grants provided as (FATI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit public charity and receives industry donations. Additionally, financing options are available.

The program is intensive but heavily structured to prepare candidates for their future and fulfill the mission of FATI. In the event a candidate is unable to attend their scheduled program, after their enrollment fee has been submitted, or should a candidate not complete or earn certification, the candidate will be able to attend any other program session within one year of the enrollment fee received date free of charge or after full enrollment fees have been paid.

headshot of Terry Linder CEO of financial advisor training institute

Meet Our Experienced Leadership

Terry has been in the financial services industry in the independent channel for 32 years.  With Six years as a successful Financial Advisor, and seventeen years as a Branch Manager, Regional Manager, and Executive Vice President at First Investors Consolidated, Terry trained and mentored thousands of recent college graduates and career changers to become successful Financial Advisors and Field Leaders. Terry spent 9 years at Waddell & Reed as a Market Director where he continued to hire, license, train, and mentor inexperienced Financial Advisors as well as recruit and develop existing Financial Advisors. As the CEO of the Financial Advisor Training Institute, Terry and his team, continue his commitment to the Financial Advisor industry by licensing, mentoring, training, and placing thousands of new Financial Advisors in the United States in the industry he is so passionate about.

Terry has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Northwood University and is also a Chartered Financial Consultant. Terry lives in Bloomfield Hills and has two daughters.

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Testimonials
Ann P, 41

"I really found the self-paced program appealing, and being remote that accommodated our schedules as well. As much as i loved being a teacher, I knew I would never be making the income as a teach that I would be making as a Financial Advisor."

Josh R, 46

"Prior to joining FATI I was in corporate America for 2 decades. Like a lot of career changers, I wanted to make a move and hit the ground running, and what really appealed to me was being able to complete the licensing while being employed so once I made that leap I would have that head-start."

Sydney B, 33

"I was a retail worker at a local home improvement store. I chose to go through the Financial Advisor training program, because they have a complete program that not only helped me get my licensing, but also helped me with the business development that is critical to being a Financial Advisor"

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