First Investors has been serving the needs of clients from all walks of life since the Company was founded in 1930. Using a face-to-face approach to investments and life insurance, our team of registered representatives offers the highest level of customer service. We strive to help our clients achieve long-term goals such as providing for their children's college educations and enjoying a comfortable retirement.

First Investors: Celebrating More Than Seven and a Half Decades of Dedicated Service

1930s & 1940s
1930: In the midst of the Great Depression, Financial Independence Founders — the predecessor firm of First Investors — is established. The firm caters to individual investors with the philosophy: “You don't have to be wealthy to invest with us.”

1934: Jack Thomas became president.

The firm pioneers monthly investment plans, enabling clients to systematically invest money on a regular basis.

1948: The Company name is changed to First Investors Corporation.

1950s
1950: David D. Grayson joins the Company as a representative, and becomes one of the most productive representatives and sales managers in the Company's history. Under his direction, the New York Times Square office dominates First Investors' rankings for years.

1956: Upon the retirement of Jack Thomas, Rowland A. Robbins and John D. Case become Chairman and President of the Company, respectively, after serving as officers for 20 years.

1960s
1960: David Grayson is brought into the Executive Office to lead the sales organization.

1962: Glenn O. Head joins the Company and begins a legendary career that would span more than four decades. He is first charged with organizing an insurance company, which becomes First Investors Life Insurance Company (FIL).

1968: Glenn Head and David Grayson become the Chairman and President, respectively. They would run the Company jointly for 26 years, until the death of David Grayson in 1994. Their tenure is marked by unprecedented growth and innovation.

First Investment Management Company (FIMCO) is established to manage the firm's mutual funds.

1970s
1970: First Investors Fund For Income, one of the industry's first high yield/speculative grade bond funds, commences operations.

1974: Administrative Data Management (ADM) is formed to handle the Company's custodial, data processing, accounting, administrative and customer service needs.

1977: The groundbreaking First Investors Tax Exempt Fund is launched as the industry's first open-ended municipal bond fund whose bonds are insured as to timely payment of interest and principal.

1978: The First Investors Cash Management Fund, a short-term money market investment with a check writing feature, is launched.

Assets under management reach $100 million during this decade.

1980s
1981: Assets under management top the $1 billion mark.

1982: First Investors Life Variable Annuity Fund “A” is launched with assets invested in shares of the First Investors Special Bond Fund.

1982: First Investors International Fund (later renamed Global Fund) is established, offering clients exposure to international equity markets.

1984: First Investors New York Tax Free Fund is launched offering income free from federal, state and local taxes to New York state residents. Over the years, 17 more state-specific funds would be added to the lineup.

1984: First Investors Government Fund is established, which features a diversified portfolio of government securities with a focus on Ginnie Maes.

1985: To serve the savings and credit needs of clients, First Financial Savings Bank, S.L.A is acquired. It is later renamed First Investors Federal Savings Bank. Today, it handles the firm's tuition collections for SMART, acts as custodian/trustee for all IRAs and enjoys the highest ratings for safety and soundness from financial ratings organizations.

1988: FIL introduces the Insured Series Policy, a variable life insurance product.

1989: First Investors Blue Chip Fund begins operations. This equity fund invests in large, well-established companies.

1990s
1990: First Investors' corporate headquarters moves to its present location at 95 Wall Street in the heart of New York's financial district.

1990: SMART (a division of School Financial Management Services Inc.), a tuition management subsidiary, is launched. Today, it is a leader in its industry, collecting $750 million a year on behalf of 1,800 participating schools.

1990: First Investors Life introduces The Tax Tamer®, a variable annuity.

1990: The Company introduces two new mutual funds: Total Return Fund, featuring a portfolio of stocks, bonds and money market instruments; and Special Situations Fund, focusing on promising small- and medium-capitalization companies.

1991: First Investors Investment Grade Fund, which seeks income by investing in high-quality corporate bonds, commences operations.

1992: The Branch Office Service System (nicknamed BOSS) is developed, linking headquarters and all field offices. It helps managers and registered representatives better serve their clients providing access to client account data, financial calculation programs, customized investment recommendations and client forms and letters.

1992: First Investors Made In The U.S.A. Fund (later renamed Mid-Cap Opportunity Fund) is launched. Today, it offers clients exposure to the much-overlooked sector of medium-sized companies.

1993: The Company introduces two new mutual funds that invest in the common stocks of companies paying dividends: Growth & Income Fund; and First Investors Utilities Income Fund (now the Value Fund). The First Investors Insured Intermediate Tax Exempt Fund, an insured municipal bond fund, is also launched.

1996: The firm rolls out its SIMPLE-IRA to serve the needs of small businesses.

1997: The Roth IRA is introduced, offering investors a tax advantaged way to save for retirement.

1999: First Investors Life introduces Level Term Life Insurance, a competitively priced policy that offers pure insurance protection.

Assets under management reach $5 billion.

2000s
2000: First Investors celebrates its 70th anniversary.

First Investors introduces the All-Cap Growth Fund, which focuses on growth stocks from three capitalization ranges: small-, mid- and large-cap.

2002: Education Savings Accounts and 529 Plans are added to the Company's product offerings to help parents save for their children's educations.

2004: Glenn Head retires. Under his leadership, the Company was transformed from a sales organization that marketed a limited number of products into a modern, full-service financial institution with offices across the U.S.

Assets under management reach an all-time high of $6.5 billion.

2005: Kathryn S. Head, a 22-year veteran of the firm, is named Chairman.

First Investors celebrates its 75th anniversary. The firm's founding philosophy still remains true: “You don't have to be wealthy to invest with us.”

2005: Kathryn S. Head, a 22-year veteran of the firm, is named Chairman.

First Investors celebrates its 75th anniversary. The firm's founding philosophy still remains true: “You don't have to be wealthy to invest with us.”

The Company introduces Modified Single Premium Variable Life Insurance (SPVL), which enables individuals to purchase lifetime life insurance with one premium payment.

2006: Assets under management reach $7 billion.

First Investors International Fund is launched, offering clients access to foreign equity markets.

The Company adds Governmental 457(b) and Roth 403(b) plans to its lineup of employer-sponsored retirement products.

2007: The All-Cap Growth Fund is given a new direction. Smith Asset Management Group, L.P is named as the Fund's new subadviser, the Fund's investment strategy is altered and the Fund is renamed the Select Growth Fund. The Fund applies a rigorous, disciplined approach to choosing growth stocks that have a reasonable level of risk.

First Investors' New York corporate headquarters moves to its current location: 110 Wall Street.

The Company makes a number of changes to its fund lineup. The Insured Tax Exempt Fund (FITE) is reopened to new investors. The Focused Equity Fund is merged into the Blue Chip Fund, and the Insured Intermediate Tax Exempt Fund and Florida Insured Tax Exempt Fund are merged into FITE. In addition, management of the Life Series Focused Equity Fund is transferred to the Smith Asset Management Group, its name is changed to the Life Series Select Growth Fund and its investment objectives are matched to those of the Select Growth Fund.

The Special Bond Fund is merged into High Yield within the Life Series Funds.

2008: The Mid-Cap Opportunity Fund is renamed the Opportunity Fund. This change provides additional flexibility in the management of the Fund.

First Investors Life introduces the next generation of variable life insurance: ISP CHOICE. This policy offers permanent life insurance protection and the ability to choose among four different premium payment periods.

Working With Clients
A career in financial services can be financially rewarding. Just as important, it can be challenging and personally fulfilling as well. Working one-on-one with clients, our registered representatives offer guidance and assistance. They help sort through the maze of financial vehicles that are available today. Our representatives take the time to understand their clients' goals, needs and attitudes toward risk. Only then do they make custom-tailored recommendations.

If you enjoy helping people achieve their financial goals while building your own business, consider the benefits of becoming a First Investors representative. First Investors is actively recruiting new representatives to join our sales offices across the country. As we continue to grow and reach into new markets, and as more people seek the services we provide, we need more talented, motivated people than ever before. So if you like to help people while experiencing personal success, consider joining the First Investors family.

Getting Started
If you have ever considered running your own business, then you know that the start-up costs, risks, and responsibilities involved with founding an enterprise can be daunting. As a First Investors representative, you have the unique combination of entrepreneurial freedom coupled with the support of a strong company.

While our representatives work hard, they enjoy the benefit of a flexible work schedule. Aside from training activities and certain industry-required weekly meetings, representatives have the freedom to make their own daily schedules. This flexibility allows you to strike the right balance between family and career responsibilities.

Reaching Your Potential
As a First Investors Registered Representative, your income is determined solely by your performance. We feature a generous compensation package, as well as quarterly and annual bonuses based on your production. First Investors offers a rare opportunity for you to reach your true earnings potential. And if you are interested in becoming part of our management team, opportunities exist for qualified individuals who have shown their skill as representatives.

First Investors seeks to enhance the lives of our clients by helping them reach their financial goals.

We are committed to providing our clients with a high level of personal service, along with quality investment and insurance products and services.

Few firms our size offer as broad an array of products as we do. We offer an extensive line of mutual funds, including stock, bond and money market funds, each with its own specific investment objectives and risks. Through our affiliate, First Investors Life Insurance Company, we offer a range of life insurance and annuity products1. For individuals seeking to build a nest egg for retirement, we offer both the Traditional IRA and the Roth IRA, as well as other tax-advantaged vehicles. For our business clients, we offer a number of retirement programs including 403(b) plans, SIMPLE-IRAs, Simplified Employee Pensions (SEPs), qualified pension and profit sharing plans. We also offer college-funding programs, such as Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and 529 Plans. Your Registered Representative can make recommendations of investments and life insurance products that are custom-tailored to fit your situation and help you achieve your financial goals