Understanding the CISI: A Global Standard in Financial Services Professionalism
As the financial services industry continues to evolve amid globalisation, regulatory shifts, technological transformation and growing expectations for ethics and accountability, the need for a strong, future-focused professional community has never been more critical.
To meet this challenge head-on, FINSIA’s Board has recently announced a proposed strategic alliance with the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) – a globally respected professional body for financial services with 54,000 members in 128 countries.
This partnership marks a significant opportunity for FINSIA members to elevate their careers, gain internationally recognised credentials and connect with a dynamic global network, while shaping the future of financial services across Australasia.
The FINSIA Board is encouraging members to read and respond to the member consultation paper on the proposed pathway. The paper includes key details about the proposal and provides information on how you can share your views and feedback with the FINSIA Board via the Vero Voting platform. Member feedback is due by 11.00pm AEST on Friday 27 June 2025.
The FINSIA Board recently hosted a member-only webinar to discuss the proposal in more detail and answer key questions from members. You can view the recording here and access the FAQs here.
Who is the CISI? A Global Standard in Professional Excellence
Founded by the London Stock Exchange in 1992, the CISI has grown to become a leading global professional body. A significant milestone in its journey came in 2009, when Queen Elizabeth II awarded the Institute a Royal Charter – a mark of excellence that bestows Chartership to organisations that demonstrate pre-eminence in their field and a commitment to serving the public good.
What Does It Mean to Be Chartered?
Chartership represents the highest accolade that a professional institution can receive to raise the professional standing of its members. Being part of a Chartered body is extremely prestigious, and the CISI’s Chartered status is recognition that it plays a unique role in the global financial services sector.
Being part of the CISI means that individual members can choose, if they wish to do so, to seek to become a Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow of the CISI. An individual Chartership is recognised globally as the peak of professionalism, whether you work in financial services, accounting, engineering, science, or other fields.
The eligibility requirements for becoming a Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow of the CISI vary depending on your qualifications and knowledge.
Should the FINSIA Board decide to proceed with the proposed transition, we will work with the CISI to provide detailed information and advice about how FINSIA members can apply for Chartered status.
With a mission to champion integrity and raise individual standards of knowledge, skills and behaviour, the CISI offers a robust suite of internationally respected qualifications, cutting-edge continuing professional development (CPD) resources and a strong global network that supports professionals from their early career to senior leadership.
To celebrate its growth and impact, the CISI published a 30th anniversary edition of its members’ magazine, The Review, in September 2022, which includes a 30-year history and an infographic showing key developments up to 2022.
Why This Matters for FINSIA Members
This proposed strategic alliance with the CISI opens the door to world-class professional development and global career mobility for financial services professionals across Australia and New Zealand.
Through CISI, FINSIA members will gain:
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Access to a globally recognised professional designation
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Cutting-edge CPD through the CISI Learning Platform, including exclusive videos, podcasts, and micro-learning modules
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A global community of peers comprising 54,000 professionals
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Tailored content, webinars, and networking events in Australasia from 2026
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Opportunity to become a Chartered Member, a prestigious designation recognised internationally.
Should the proposed strategic alliance proceed, FINSIA members will benefit from a seamless transition pathway to join the CISI at an equal membership level and, in many cases, can advance to Chartered status in the future based on experience and CPD history.
A Global Community with Local Relevance: How the CISI Supports Diverse Financial Services Professionals
CISI membership comprises a uniquely diverse cross-section of professionals from every corner of the global financial services industry. From banking, bonds & fixed interest, compliance, corporate finance and fintech, to operations, risk, and wealth management, the CISI's broad membership base is its strength and the driver behind its mandate: to serve professionals at every career stage, in every sector, and across all geographies.
Its inclusive model recognises the wide spectrum of professional experience and sector focus within its membership. This is reflected in its growing ecosystem of support, which includes:
- National Advisory Councils (NACs) in key regions, including the proposed forthcoming Australia and New Zealand council, offering direct strategic insight from senior local professionals. These councils shape regional programming and ensure global standards are applied in a way that is locally relevant.
- Professional Forums that span core areas such as corporate finance, risk, compliance, wealth management, financial planning, and investments. These forums are open to all members, regardless of seniority, and are led by volunteer practitioner committees. New forums are regularly introduced in response to emerging areas of interest or need.
- A vibrant network of over 1,000 volunteers who actively contribute their expertise and perspectives to the CISI’s work, enriching the value members derive from the Institute.
- Member surveys and direct consultation channels to guide the development of new qualifications, content areas and service improvements.
- A dynamic Young Professionals’ Network (YPN) designed to engage members under 35, providing early-career professionals with the tools, connections and resources to grow and lead.
A Member-Led Approach: Your Voice Matters
FINSIA is committed to ensuring this alliance serves our members’ best interests. That’s why we're inviting all members to take part in the consultation process to share feedback and shape how this proposed strategic alliance is implemented.
In line with the CISI’s global model, a dedicated Australia and New Zealand NAC would be established, ensuring local member voices are heard at the highest levels of the Institute.
The Council would be led by local member representatives and be supported by the CISI team. The role of the Council would be to serve as a direct voice to the CISI CEO and management team, as well as the Board, on issues of importance to the Australian and New Zealand membership community, and to provide input and advice on global initiatives being considered by the CISI.
Professional Development that’s Future-Ready
CPD is central to the CISI membership offering and its mission to equip members for a long and successful career. The CISI’s world-class CPD resources help members uphold professional standards and strengthen ethical practices across financial services. These resources include:
- The Review, the CISI’s thought leadership magazine
- CISI TV: On-demand expert-led videos and podcasts
- Professional Refresher Modules and curated learning collections in the CISI’s state-of-the-art Learning Platform
- A personal CPD log to track and verify your learning for regulatory and professional requirements with the MyCISI app for 24/7 learning on the go
The platform and CISI member app support technical and soft skills development, ethics training, and they provide the tools needed to stay competitive in an industry where expectations and regulations are constantly evolving.
Be Part of What Comes Next
For existing and renewing FINSIA members, this is a unique opportunity to access world-leading professional standards, influence the direction of your profession, and expand your global impact.
Pending member feedback, should the FINSIA Board decide to proceed with the proposed alliance, an exclusive pathway to join the CISI will be made available for a limited time. This pathway expands and builds on the current FINSIA membership benefits and offers access to membership at lower annual fees for most levels, alongside globally recognised designations.
Additionally, a one-off transition membership credit will mean members who have current membership with FINSIA at the time of joining the CISI will be offered an extended period of membership from the date of joining.
We encourage all members to:
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Engage with the consultation process – remember, the consultation process closes at 11.00pm AEST on Friday 27 June 2025.
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Renew your membership to take part in this exciting next chapter.
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Explore the CISI’s offer, especially if you’re seeking international recognition, opportunities to access world-class continuous learning, and advance your career by joining a vibrant professional community.
From Around the Globe – and Close to Home
Rachel De Gruchy, Chartered FCSI, who began her CISI journey in Jersey and is now based in Australia, is a testament to the value of long-term membership. She credits the CISI for helping her navigate industry change, build her professional network and support younger professionals through mentoring. “CISI qualifications are globally recognised,” she says. “Their focus on ethics and integrity sets them apart.”
