CFP Board Celebrates 25th Anniversary

New Initiatives and Video Release Mark Occasion

WASHINGTON, July 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards is celebrating its 25th anniversary in July by launching a series of initiatives and a video commemorating the past and future of CFP Board's contributions to the profession of financial planning and its advocacy on behalf of the public.

"One thing CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals agree on is that they are proud of their profession. As we celebrate our silver anniversary, CFP Board is leading the way in upholding the CFP^® marks as the standard of excellence in personal financial planning, advocating for the public and setting a course for a great future," said Kevin Keller, Chief Executive Officer of CFP Board.

As part of the anniversary celebration, CFP Board is releasing a video today to the public and the CFP^® certificant community showcasing the organization's founding and successes. The video can be found at www.CFP.net.

CFP Board's new video provides an inside look at the cornerstones of the CFP^® certification and the evolution of CFP Board and celebrates 25 years of growth and excellence for the CFP^® certificant community.  The history spans a period from 1985 to 2010 that includes the seismic shift in consumers' personal finance needs during the 1980s and the complex economic problems and market changes taking place today.

"The story of CFP Board's role in advancing the financial planning profession is something that hasn't before been told in this way," said Bob Glovsky, CFP^®, Chair of CFP Board's Board of Directors. "This video is a resource to help engage people in learning more about Certified Financial Planner™ professionals and the value of our profession."

CFP Board's 25th anniversary video short features messages from current and past leaders of CFP Board, addressing the transformation of the CFP^® certification from an education-based credential to a professional certification based on rigorous standards of education, examination, experience and ethics.  It  highlights CFP Board's commitment to advocacy on behalf of the public, including its incorporation of a strong fiduciary standard for CFP^® certificants, and its work to secure provisions to benefit the public in the recently passed financial regulatory reform legislation.  

In addition to releasing the video, CFP Board recently provided CFP^® professionals with an update on the organization's progress during its latest Webinar for CFP^® professionals. The wide-ranging presentation touched on:

• The success CFP Board had, as part of the Financial Planning Coalition, in getting pro-consumer provisions included in the financial reform bill to address the important issue of a strong fiduciary standard for all who provide investment advice and the need to address the regulatory gaps related to financial planning;
• Our robust Consumer Advocate program and its successful media outreach efforts;
• The Financial Planning Days initiative, organized in conjunction with the  U.S. Conference of Mayors,  Financial Planning Association and the Foundation for Financial Planning, which will bring pro bono financial planning information to underserved Americans in more than 20 cities across the country during October; and
• The results of CFP Board's 2009 Job Analysis Study, including the new blueprint for the March 2012 and later administrations of the CFP^® Certification Examination.

The Webinar also unveiled CFP Board's initial plans for a new marketing and educational campaign. Ultimately, the campaign will help educate the public about who a Certified Financial Planner^TM professional is, who CFP Board is as an organization, and how consumers benefit from the CFP^® certification.  A recording of the Webinar is available at www.CFP.net/aboutus/webinars.asp.

More consumer awareness of the profession and CFP^® certification, Keller said, brings significant benefits, both for the growing CFP^® certificant community and for the individuals who seek out professional assistance for their financial planning needs.  "Our research has shown that the more the public learns about us, the more positive their attitude becomes toward financial planning and financial planners," said Keller.

Over the next several months, CFP Board will provide multiple opportunities for CFP^® professionals to provide input on the marketing and educational plans. This includes an online survey, in-person meetings and other communications.

"This profession has come so far during the 25 year history of CFP Board," said Glovsky. "We represent the recognized mark of excellence in financial planning. Now it's time for more people to know more about who we are, what we do, and how we can be a part of their lives. We have a real opportunity to advance our profession and help educate our fellow Americans on the need for comprehensive financial planning."

More information about CFP Board and its anniversary activities can be found at www.CFP.net.

ABOUT CFP BOARD

The mission of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. is to benefit the public by granting the CFP^® certification and upholding it as the recognized standard of excellence for personal financial planning. The Board of Directors, in furthering CFP Board's mission, acts on behalf of the public, CFP^® certificants and other stakeholders. CFP Board owns the certification marks CFP^®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and the federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.  CFP Board currently authorizes more than 61,000 individuals to use these marks in the U.S.

SOURCE Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., Washington, DC