FPSB INCREASES INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION ON 2006 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Directors from Seven Nations Will Benefit and Protect Public By Enhancing CFP Certification as Global Mark of Excellence for Financial Planning

DENVER, 3 OCTOBER – Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB), the nonprofit association that owns and manages the CFP certification program outside the United States, today announced the names of three individuals who will join FPSB’s nine-member board of directors for three-year terms, starting next year.

On 01 January 2006, William L. Anthes, former President and CEO and now President Emeritus of Colorado-based National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE); Patrick Dufour, CFP^®, board member and vice-president of Paris-based Association Francaise des Conseils en Gestion de Patrimoine Certifies (CGPC); and Kai Ping Liu, CEO of the Financial Planning Association of Taiwan (FPAT) will join directors from Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa and the U.S. to guide FPSB’s efforts to internationalize the CFP certification program.

“With the 100 percent growth of CFP professionals outside the U.S. in the past four years, and increased global interest in the CFP marks, FPSB is committed to attracting the best and brightest volunteers from around the world to assist us in leading the development of professional financial planning standards that will benefit consumers seeking competent, ethical advice,” said S. Timothy Kochis, CFP^®, FPSB Chairperson.

“We are pleased to have people of the caliber, commitment and passion of Bill, Patrick and K.P. on our board. Their diverse viewpoints and experiences will enrich our decision-making and support FSPB in its efforts to have CFP certification recognized as the global mark of excellence for professional financial planners,” Kochis added.

FPSB is governed by a nine-member international board of directors and supported by the FPSB Council, an advisory group representing 17 organizations (FPSB Affiliates) that currently manage the CFP certification in their respective countries and three organizations in the process of becoming FPSB Affiliates. Countries or regions where FPSB has a nonprofit member organization that offers, or is preparing to offer, CFP certification include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chinese Taipei, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Organizations from Bulgaria, Greece, Indonesia, the Netherlands and Thailand are preparing to join FPSB.

Financial Planning Standards Board is a nonprofit association that manages, develops and operates certification, education and related programs for financial planning organizations so that they may benefit and protect the global community by establishing, upholding and promoting worldwide professional standards in financial planning. FPSB’s commitment to excellence is represented by the marks of professional distinction – CFP, Certified Financial Planner and CFP (with flame logo).