***Candidates Gain Financial Assistance to Seek Leading Global Investment Credential***

Eleven (11) Professionals in Nassau were awarded scholarships to the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) program, through the CFA Society of The Bahamas (CFASB), a local non-profit organization for financial advisors.

The CFA charter is the only globally recognized credential for investment analysis and management. The CFA program sets a globally recognized standard for measuring the competence and integrity of financial analysts, portfolio managers and investment advisers. Currently, more than 95,000 investment professionals in 134 nations and territories hold the CFA charter.

The CFASB’s scholarship program enables Harry Winner, Kemie Jones, Denzil Sirra, Kerah Farquharson, Jason Smith, Ingrid Taylor, Petula Gibson, Desaree Romer, Aneka Rolle, Niall Turnquest and Florence Green to take the CFA exam for a reduced registration and enrollment fee of $220. Candidates normally pay up to $1,780 to take the exam, depending on when they register and where they live.
*“More and more investment professionals are seeking the CFA charter as a confirmation to clients and employers that their investment knowledge and ethics meet the highest standards, no matter where in the world they practice,”* said David Ramirez, CFA, CFASB president. *“As a member of The CFA Institute, we are pleased to offer financial assistance to these outstanding candidates who are committed to pursuing this prestigious designation.”*

CFA Institute administers the CFA exams simultaneously at 180 test centers in 89 countries in June. Candidates for the CFA designation must pass a series of three six-hour exams over at least three ye4ars. Each of the three examinations typically requires candidates to spend 250 to 300 hours in study preparation.
Candidates take, on average, a little more than four years from initial enrollment to the time they complete all requirements for the CFA designation. The exams cover issues and topics that investment professionals encounter in their day-to-day practice, such as ethical and professional standards, financial statement analysis and portfolio management. Recipients of the CFA charter have successfully completed the graduate-level, self-study curriculum and series of three intensive examinations taken sequentially over at least two years. Preparation for the three exams typically requires at least 750 combined hours of study.
But passing the exams is not the only requirement to become a CFA charterholder. Candidates also must agree to abide by the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct and have at least three years’ experience in the investment field before they earn the right to use the CFA designation after their names.

With an overall pass rate of 53 percent, some 7,720 candidates passed the third and final exam in the three-year exam series last year.

That brings the number of CFA charterholders worldwide to more than 89,000, including 48 in The Bahamas. CFA Institute continues to award additional charters weekly as candidates who have passed all three exams meet all other requirements, including the completion of at least three years of professional investment experience and the submission of a statement committing themselves to adhere to the CFA Institute code of ethics and standards of professional conduct.

To apply for a CFASB scholarship, candidates must belong to the CFASB or be a fourth-year or graduate student at a college or university within 200 miles of The Bahamas. Candidates must have earned a bachelor’s degree or equivalent by September of the year they take the first level of the CFA exam.

Information on applying for the CFASB’s CFA scholarships is available by contacting Warren Pustam at 242-362-3093 or visiting
[www.membersocieties.org/bahamas](http://www.membersocieties.org/bahamas)

CFASB is one of 135 CFA Institute member societies and chapters in 56 countries. The society’s mission is to advance the interests of the investment profession in The Bahamas and maintain the highest standards of integrity and professional excellence.

CFA Institute, the world’s largest association of investment professionals, is best known for administering the CFA program, as well as its industry-leading advocacy and standard-setting work encouraging full and fair disclosure of financial information to investors and others involved in investment decision-making. For more information on CFA Institute, visit [www.cfainstitute.org](http://www.cfainstitute.org)
*Photo shows some of the scholarship recipients: Petula Gibson, Jason Smith, and Desaree Romer – with David Ramirez, President, CFA Society of The Bahamas.*

Note: CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.