Membership

Membership Benefits

We meet approximately every six weeks for lunch, dinner or cocktails in different locations and invite speakers to share with the group. These discussions vary in topic from business development to personal development to community awareness. The programs feature interesting and educational speakers and provide an excellent networking opportunity.

Membership benefits include a listing in the WFE Membership Directory, discounts at WFE programs and invitations to members-only functions. The directory facilitates business referrals. We also have networking functions and a members-only holiday party.

Download a pdf of the 2012 calendar of events: WFE2012calendar.pdf

Membership Application

To apply for membership, fill out the Membership Application by going to Join WFE. The membership application is subject to review by the Board of the Women's Finance Exchange to confirm compliance with the membership requirements. The application information will be included in the Membership Directory.

Membership Criteria

In an effort to promote WFE as a premier women’s organization of diverse women who are committed to helping one another both professionally and personally, the WFE Board has put in place the following guidelines for membership and application process for new members beginning with the 2011 membership campaign.

Membership limited to 100 individuals employed in the financial industry and as service providers to the financial industry. This represents an increase from a limit of 80 members and specifically identifies professionals in and around the financial industry. Financial industries to include banks, brokerage firms, financial analysts/managers, private equity, investment banking, and venture capital. Other service providers to include accounting, legal, employment/recruiting, commercial insurance, financial printing, consulting, marketing/public relations. Hence, “end users” would not be good candidates for membership as we may incur conflicts regarding the solicitation of members’ clients.
New member applicants are encouraged to obtain an existing member as a sponsor. Although many new applicants are referred by existing members, this may encourage potential new applicants to get to know existing members and existing members to seek out new members.
Each new member should have a minimum of 3 years experience in business. Existing members will be grandfathered. In the past, WFE has not required new applicants to have a minimum number of years in business. Additionally, the target mix for membership as to number of years in business is: 50% > 10 years; 30% 7-10 years; 20% 3-6 years.
Limit membership from each company to two people. In the past, WFE has limited membership from each company to three people. In that regard, those companies with three individuals as of 2009 will be grandfathered. The membership committee is given discretion to recommend additional people from the same company provided these individuals serve different markets or are involved in different job functions for the company.

In addition, the procedure for reviewing new applications will include a telephone call from the membership committee to the new applicant and her sponsor, if any, to go over the application, answer any questions, and address expectations of membership. Upon review and decision by the board, the new applicant will receive notification of acceptance or denial of the application from the chair of the membership committee and board president.

The Board of Directors of WFE believes that the implementation of these guidelines and procedures will promote our mission to “develop professional women working in the financial areas by providing networking and learning opportunities in a relationship-driven environment.”

Membership fees and payment

Membership dues are $150 for the calendar year.

You can pre-pay for dues AND all events for the year for only $485. This is a discount of $150 off the cost of $635 if you pay for dues and all the events individually.

Payments may be made by credit card online or by check payable to Women's Finance Exchange and mailed to:

Women’s Finance Exchange

c/o Ashley Smith

Iberia Bank

11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 2900

Houston, Texas 77046

Contact WFE

Women's Finance Exchange

Meresa Morgan, President
Briggs & Veselka Co.
6575 West Loop South, Suite 700
Bellaire, Texas 77401
(713) 353–1921