LONDON, May 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
Stock exchanges across the world's capital markets celebrate success of global investment standard
CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, will today celebrate the 50th anniversary of the CFA Program by opening and closing stock markets at financial centres around the world. The 26 stock exchange openings and closings usher in a year-long celebration for CFA Institute to mark the what has become the leading global education standard for aspiring investment professionals and the investment industry.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120528/535471 )
Following the first exam in 1963, 268 investment professionals were awarded the CFA charter. Nearly 50 years later, there are more than 100,000 charterholders in 137 countries and territories. To mark the occasion, The Gold Standard: A Fifty Year History of the CFA Charter, has also been published. The book tracks the evolution of the charter and of CFA Institute, including the role of Benjamin Graham, the "Dean of Wall Street," who recognized the need for a professional certification grounded in principles and ethics, for financial analysts in the 1940s.
"There is no better way to celebrate the success and international impact of the CFA Program than with a global event of this magnitude," said John D. Rogers, CFA, president and CEO of CFA Institute. "The CFA program has grown tremendously since the very first exam, expanding to more than 100,000 charterholders who practice the highest level of professional and ethical standards. The financial industry has faced many challenges since the inception of the program, and I'm proud of the impact CFA Institute continues to have on ethics, education and excellence in the profession."
The ceremonies set the stage for this weekend, when more than 149,000 registered candidates from 168 countries will take the Level I, II and III CFA exams on 2 and 3 June.
In addition to closing the New York Stock Exchange, CFA Institute will host ceremonies in the following locations on May 29:
The original CFA program focused on equity security analysts and emphasized ethical and professional standards. Today, the program is global and encompasses a broad range of topics such as fixed-income analysis, alternative and derivative investments and portfolio management. CFA Institute traces its roots to the establishment of the Financial Analysts Federation (FAF) in 1947, following the call for a financial analyst certification by industry giant Benjamin Graham in 1942. FAF leaders created the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts in 1959 to administer the CFA program, and the two organizations merged in 1999 to form what is now CFA Institute.
About CFA Institute
CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and administers the industry gold standard CFA charter. The organization is a champion for ethical behavior 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 109,000 members in 139 countries and territories, including 100,000 CFA charterholders. For more information, visit http://www.cfainstitute.org.
Nicole Haroutunian, PR Manager, CFA Institute (EMEA)
+44-(207)-330-9551, Nicole.haroutunian@cfainstitute.org
Global Contacts
J.D. McCartney,
Director, Public Relations, New York
+1-(212)-418-6889, Jd.mccartney@cfainstitute.org
Sarah-Jane Purvis
PR Manager, New York
+1-(212)-705-1738, Sarahjane.purvis@cfainstitute.org
Betty Wong
PR Manager, Asia-Pacific
+852-3103-9366, Betty.wong@cfainstitute.org
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