CFA Institute Chief Calls on Investment Community to Build Professionalism

More than 2,000 professionals gather at CFA Institute Annual Conference to raise standards in the investment profession

MONTRÉAL, May 9, 2016 /CNW/ - CFA Institute, the global association of investment management professionals, today called on its global community to help advance the organization's mission to build a stronger, more trustworthy profession to better serve society. Paul Smith, CFA, president and CEO of CFA Institute, praised an audience of more than 2,000 investment professionals at the 69^th CFA Institute Annual Conference in Montréal, for progress in building standards of professionalism, and urged them to continue working with the organization to make more impact.

"We have made significant progress over the past 12 months to raise standards of professionalism in the industry," said Smith. "In addition to our initiatives like Putting Investors First, our partnerships with organizations such as the Aspen Institute, and our work in fostering the adoption of codes and standards, we continue to advocate for regulations that align firms and clients. CFA Institute is a global organization, and we, along with our 138,000 members and charterholders, are in a strong position to continue to influence the debate and build on this progress." 

Smith outlined a checklist of actions investment management professionals can use to make a difference. The list includes engaging with employers to hire and promote CFA charterholders, involving more regulators in more countries, activating universities at a local level, and initiating local financial literacy programs.

"Let us not forget that in finance we have a social purpose," continued Smith. "A profession serves society first and itself second. We need to re-establish this connection in the minds of our clients and in the minds of all current and future investment management professionals. Together we can transform the perception of our industry."

Conference Recognizes 'Putting Investors First Month' in May 
The Annual Conference occurs during the third annual Putting Investors First Month, a global initiative that focuses on promoting the needs and rights of investors with the end goal of uniting investment professionals in a commitment to serving investor interests. Throughout the month of May, many of the organization's 147 member societies worldwide will host local events and call attention to the needs and rights of investors by sharing the Statement of Investor Rights, a list of ten rights that any investor should expect from financial service providers.

"For the third year in a row, Putting Investors First Month is advancing its goal of uniting financial professionals in a commitment to place investor interests above all others," said Smith. "By supporting Putting Investors First Month, we want to inspire our community to make a real impact and foster a market environment where investors can thrive."

In addition, the organization will spotlight A Difference That Matters, a global advertising campaign, which features CFA charterholders from around the world and aims to build a better investment management profession by raising investors' awareness of what makes CFA charterholders different. Join the conversation globally around Putting Investors First Month on social media with #CFAdifference.  

More From Montréal
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• Watch live and archived video streams
• Read the conference blog
• Follow the conference on social media using #CFAInvest

About CFA Institute
CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. The organization is a champion for ethical behaviour in investment markets and a respected source of knowledge in the global financial community. The end goal: to create an environment where investors' interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow. CFA Institute has more than 138,000 members in 151 countries and territories, including 131,800 CFA charterholders, and 147 member societies. For more information, visit www.cfainstitute.org. 

SOURCE CFA Institute

Jannine Rane, FleishmanHillard, 416-645-3662, [email protected]; Alliccia Hernandez, New York, [phone], [email protected]