When Capital Analysts began operations as one of the very first independent broker/dealers in January, 1968, it had a vision called Total Financial Planning. It was challenging because there were no educational or “how to” materials for this brand new field. To put this in perspective, the International Association for Financial Planning (now the Financial Planning Association) did not start until 1969 and the College for Financial Planning didn't come on the scene until 1972.

Yet we had a vision and were up to the challenges. As one of our original advisors said, "even from the beginning the broker/dealer was client driven and we did needs-based financial planning."

Capital Analysts is distinctive because we not only grew up with the industry, we were one of the original pioneers who helped create the industry.

• CAI can document the use of asset allocation as a cornerstone of our financial planning process as far back as 1969, although it did not gain wide industry acceptance until the 1980s.
• We began writing about the relationship between risks and rewards in 1971, although this now widely accepted concept did not earn its originator a Nobel Prize in Economics until 1990.
• We were an early entrant into the Registered Investment Advisor arena as well in the early 1970s.
• In 1987 we were the first independent B/D to offer proprietary mutual fund research without having a proprietary mutual fund.
• From the very beginning we had a long-term planning approach which allowed us to embrace fee-based planning, assets under management and other trends as they emerged in the industry.
• In more recent years CAI was among the early adopters of a Call Center, the 24/7 virtual home office, web-based consolidated statements and performance reporting, and other technological innovations.

Our vision has remained consistent, while evolving to provide innovations that have repeatedly been ahead of the industry curve. That is in part due to consistency of leadership. Our President and Executive VP/COO both have been with the firm since 1974; the Senior VP since 1986. And, over 25% of our Advisors have been with us 10 years or more. Leadership from our active Field Advisory Committee—elected by their peers—has helped us forge innovations including a continuing commissions program, a deferred compensation plan and a Resource Network that enables Advisors to share their expertise with their colleagues.

We are proud of our past—and excited about our future.