Change in funding
Effective January 1, 2024, our fee structure changed. This was good news for participants because it made DSI’s funding fairer. The annual participation fee was abolished and the annual costs were divided evenly among the number of certified professionals. In practice, this means: the more professionals certified, the lower the cost per certification.
While these changes had mostly positive effects, we realize that they could temporarily create disparities for some participants. This information explains the background of the changes and how they affected your organization.
What does the change entail?
The adjustment simplified our funding method. The basis remained the number of certificants per participant, but the annual participation fee was eliminated. One rate per certification was set annually and participants received only one invoice, regardless of the number of changes made during the year. This invoice was calculated based on the average number of certifications over the past three years.
This made DSI’s funding more equitable: the cost per certified professional decreased as more professionals were certified.
Features of the new method
- More predictability: Fluctuations in costs were reduced by assuming the three-year average.
- Reduced administrative burden: One annual invoice significantly reduced the administrative burden.
- Fairer system: Tiers were abolished, treating all participants equally.
Impact on organizations
Funding simplification affected annual costs for participating organizations. For some participants, rates decreased while for others they increased depending on the number of certifications compared to the previous two years. The use of a three-year average made rates more predictable, but created differences among organizations.
Example A: Bank X
Bank X has been a DSI participant for 22 years. Over the past three years, it had certified an average of 360 professionals. The contribution in 2024 was calculated based on the three-year average:
| Year | DSI certified candidates | Candidates certified | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 275 | 24 | 299 |
| 2022 | 361 | 17 | 378 |
| 2023 | 381 | 22 | 403 |
Example B: Asset manager X
Asset manager X has been a DSI participant for 2 years. In the past two years, it had certified an average of 57 professionals. The contribution in 2024 was calculated based on the two-year average:
| Year | DSI certified candidates | Candidates certified | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 42 | 5 | 47 |
| 2023 | 52 | 15 | 67 |
Our starting point: a fair calculation
The new methodology was developed with the main goal of a fair system. Participants who use DSI the most (measured by the number of certifications) bear the heaviest burden, so the distribution is equitable.
