LIFE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION/INSTITUTE OF BANKERS IN IRELAND JOIN GLOBAL FINANCIAL PLANNING FEDERATION -- LIA/IOB to Form New Nonprofit Entity (‘FPSB Ireland’) To Administer CFP Certification in Ireland On Behalf of the Public and Financial Planning Profession -- DENVER, 16 January 2008 – Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB), the nonprofit association that owns and manages the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification program outside the United States, today announced that it has entered into an Associate Membership Agreement with a partnership of the Life Insurance Association and the Institute of Bankers in Ireland (LIA-IOB) that will allow a nonprofit entity created by the two organizations (FPSB Ireland) to develop, and become the exclusive administrator of the CFP certification program in Ireland. Once FPSB Ireland has met FPSB’s rigorous affiliation requirements, the body will be able to offer the CFP marks on behalf of FPSB in Ireland. “The commitment that LIA and IOB have shown toward raising professionalism among financial advisors in Ireland and meeting the needs of consumers seeking advice from competent and ethical financial planners is impressive,” said Noel Maye, FPSB chief executive officer. “FPSB is proud to have LIA-IOB join our global federation of nonprofit organizations setting standards in the public interest and will support LIA-IOB as it builds on the accomplishments of the QFA program by introducing the globally recognized CFP certification.” “Financial Planning Standards Board’s confidence in LIA-IOB’s ability to deliver the CFP certification program in Ireland is greatly appreciated, and largely due to the diligence and efforts of many industry players who are passionate about financial planning, about standards and about consumer protection,” said Bill Hannan, Chairman FPSB Ireland. “LIA-IOB plan to launch the CFP certification program in Ireland no later than the end of 2008, and we anticipate having over 1,000 CFP professionals in the country by 2010.” An organization must complete substantial preparations before it is ready to offer the world-class CFP certification program. By entering into an Associate Membership Agreement with FPSB, LIA-IOB have agreed to establish and develop – within two years – programs, systems and resources to deliver CFP certification. While an Associate member, LIA-IOB is not authorized to award the CFP marks to individuals. FPSB is governed by a nine-member board of directors and supported by the FPSB Council, a group representing 23 organizations that currently manage, or are preparing to manage, the CFP certification in their respective territories. Territories where FPSB has a nonprofit member organization include: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chinese Taipei, 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. Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. manages, develops and operates certification, education and related programs for financial planning organizations outside the U.S. so that they may benefit and protect the global community by establishing, upholding and promoting worldwide professional standards in financial planning. FPSB’s commitment is represented by the marks of global excellence in financial planning – CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM and CFP Logo Mark. There are currently over 105,000 CFP professionals worldwide, and this figure continues to grow each year.
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