foundations The Institute of Financial Planners of Hong Kong's certification programme raises standards and provides full training in all aspects of the industry, writes John Cremer Solid.

(From South China Morning Post)

ESTIMATES indicate that there are more than 10,000 licensed brokers in Hong Kong selling a wide variety of investment products, but many of them have no academic background in financial subjects and may not possess professional qualifications.

The Institute of Financial Planners of Hong Kong (IFPHK) is addressing this issue by promoting a recognised industry standard for practitioners and, at the same time, is aiming to make the investing public fully aware of what to expect from any professional adviser.

The institute introduced the Certified Financial PlannerCM (CFMCM) certification in Hong Kong in 2000 to provide …