The International CFP Council approved the Association of Financial Planners (AFP) of India as its 15th affiliate member during its April meeting in Auckland, New Zealand. India had been an associate member of the International CFP Council since September 2000.

“We are delighted to see India move up to full membership status and to see the rapid expansion of affiliate membership. These developments demonstrate the growing worldwide enthusiasm for the adoption of professional standards in financial planning as distinguished by the CFP certification process,” said Don Johnston, president of Canada’s Financial Planners Standards Council.

The vision and mission statements of the International CFP Council were refined at the Spring meeting to more clearly reflect its work. The refined vision is “to be recognized as the leading international standard-setting body for the financial planning profession.” The refined mission “is to benefit the global community by establishing, maintaining and promoting the professional standards in financial planning. Our commitment to excellence is represented by the CFP marks.”

International CFP Council Chair Patricia Houlihan explained, “Financial planning is booming worldwide, and members of the International CFP Council want to seize the moment and ensure the CFP marks are at the forefront of the movement.”

The International CFP Council was founded in 1990 to promote the professionalism of individuals and organizations offering personal financial planning services and to ensure that such services are offered in an ethical and competent manner throughout the world. The Financial Planners Standards Council has been a member of the International CFP Council since 1996.