// startup autopsy
U.S. Fiduciary
A fiduciary services fintech that couldn't outlast the financial crisis it was built to navigate.
external shockSlow Death
Years-long decline before final shutdown · Fatal mistake: U.S. Fiduciary built its revenue model on enterprise retirement plan contracts that were among the first to be cut during the 2008 financial crisis, leaving it without sufficient recurring revenue to survive.
Key Events Timeline
FOUNDING
U.S. Fiduciary founded to provide outsourced fiduciary and ERISA compliance services for corporate retirement plans.
FUNDING
Raised funding to expand compliance service offerings and grow enterprise sales team.
FUNDING
Completed $9M total funding to scale fiduciary outsourcing platform ahead of anticipated regulatory tailwinds.
LAYOFF
Post-Lehman financial crisis causes wave of client contract cancellations and forces significant headcount reduction.
SHUTDOWN
U.S. Fiduciary closes operations after failing to raise additional capital in post-crisis environment.