A Personal Perspective – The Importance of the Independent Contractor Model for Financial Advisors

Published on:
April 30, 2021
By:
  • Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr, Steve Budin

In the latest in SIFMA’s podcast series, SIFMA president and CEO Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr. is joined by independent financial planning professional Steve Budin, the President of the Budin Group. During their conversation, Steve explains his work on behalf of his clients and community as a financial advisor, and why his independent contractor status is important to that work.

Nationwide, approximately 150,000 registered brokers and investment advisors operate their own financial advisory firms utilizing the independent contractor model. A bill currently under consideration in Congress known as the ‘PRO Act’ would change how independent contractor status is determined, adversely impacting these hundreds of thousands of independent financial advisors, including Steve.

As explained in the podcast, SIFMA is encouraging lawmakers to exempt independent financial advisors from this legislation. Narrower, more focused legislation would avoid the unintended consequence of capturing traditional business models.

Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr. is president and CEO of SIFMA, the voice of the nation’s securities industry. He is also chief executive officer of the Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA).

Steven Budin, JD, CFP® is the President of the Budin Group.

Details

More Content

  • Press Releases
    Mar 30, 2026

    SIFMA Statement on DOL Rule Proposal on Alternative Investments in Retirement Accounts

    SIFMA supports expanding private market access to enhance diversification, choice, and retirement security.
  • Press Releases
    Mar 30, 2026

    SIFMA’s Quantum Dawn VIII Exercise Tests Readiness for Polycrisis Incidents

    SIFMA released the after-action report from its biennial Quantum Dawn VIII resilience exercise conducted in November 2025.
  • Pennsylvania + Wall
    Mar 26, 2026

    Protecting Investor Privacy: Why the NOBO/OBO Framework Matters

    SIFMA explains the NOBO/OBO framework and why protecting investor privacy, choice, and education is critical to an effective proxy system.

Get the latest trends, stats, and research on financial markets and securities.