Global CFP Certification Bodies Gather in Washington, D.C. to Discuss Future of the Financial Planning Profession

CFP Board to Host Organizations from 23 Countries

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. will host the Fall meeting of Financial Planning Standards Board, the global professional standards-setting organization for financial planners, in Washington, D.C., October 31 – November 4. The event will mark the first meeting held in the United States since CFP Board moved to Washington, D.C. in 2007.

With member organizations in 24 territories around the world, FPSB benefits the clients and potential clients of financial planners by establishing, upholding and promoting worldwide professional standards in financial planning. FPSB owns the CFP certification marks outside the U.S., and licenses organizations to offer CFP certification on its behalf, while CFP Board owns the CFP® marks and operates its own certification program in the U.S.

Global FPSB gatherings, like the one scheduled for Washington, are an annual opportunity for the chief executives and volunteer leaders of FPSB's member organizations to discuss certification best practices, trends affecting the financial planning profession, and global efforts to gain recognition for financial planning as a distinct professional practice.

"FPSB and our sister organizations from around the world are joining us here in Washington, D.C. at a very crucial juncture for the financial planning community when Congress and regulators continue to debate how to implement the Dodd-Frank law," said Kevin R. Keller, CAE, CFP Board's Chief Executive Officer. "Many of FPSB's members are undergoing regulatory reform in their territories as well, so we have a great mutual interest in learning about the best regulatory models to help consumers gain access to competent, ethical financial planners who will place their clients' interests first."

"CFP® certification originated in the United States, and CFP Board has always played a leadership role in the global financial planning community," said Noel Maye, CAE, FPSB's Chief Executive Officer. "Our non-US members are very much looking forward to learning about CFP Board's efforts to gain awareness and recognition for CFP® certification and financial planning in this country."

As host to the FPSB meeting, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, CFP Board is responsible for all facets of the event, including a gala dinner at the Smithsonian American Museum of Art on November 2.

About CFP Board

The mission of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board) 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® professionals and other stakeholders. CFP Board owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and 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 63,000 individuals to use these marks in the U.S.  For more information about CFP Board, visit www.CFP.net or call 800-487-1497.

About FPSB

FPSB manages, develops and operates certification, education and related programs for financial planning organizations to benefit the global community by establishing, upholding and promoting worldwide professional standards in financial planning. FPSB demonstrates its commitment to excellence with the marks of professional distinction – CFP, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and CFP Logo Mark. FPSB has a nonprofit member organization in the following 24 territories: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States. As of 30 June, 2011, there were 137,966 CFP professionals worldwide. For more, visit fpsb.org. Follow FPSB at twitter.com/fpsb or facebook.com/fpsb1.

SOURCE Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.; Financial Planning Standards Board