However, it is also involved with other products such as unit investment trusts (UIT), mutual funds, and separately managed accounts for institutional investors.

[4][5][6][7] In September 1991, Van Kampen founded another firm named Nike Securities in Chicago after Xerox announced it would discontinue its investment banking business to focus on asset management products such as UITs.

[4][5][6][7] On October 29, 1999, Van Kampen died, leaving speculation on whether his family would consider selling or entering a strategic alliance regarding Nike Securities.

[2][3][9] Business Insider has reported that First Trust's executives have posted controversial comments on Twitter under their real names and titles.

Chief economist Brian Wesbury tweeted that COVID-19 vaccine mandates were similar to slavery, George Floyd protests were riots done by thugs, and that every clerk should be fired as a result of the leak regarding Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

In 2017, Bowen told the audience at the Fearless Investing Summit that his company was "privately held, so if you hate me, I could care less.