Blue Chip Journal - June 2019 edition

FOREWORD
We’ve also made the decision to update – rather than phase out – the RFP designation. In order to
protect the terms “financial planner” and “financial planning”, we changed the significance of the RFP
SAQA-registered designation from Registered Financial Planner to Registered Financial Practitioner.
This will enable us to reserve the term “financial planner” for individuals who have put in the time and
effort to achieve the esteemed CFP® professional status, while at the same time allowing us to grow
the industry and penetrate new markets where the underlying qualification does not need to be on
an NQF 8 level. The RFP designation also serves as a learning pathway towards FSA certification and
ultimately CFP® certification.
What’s more, we’ve introduced a new “Affiliate” membership category aimed at non-members who
elect to complete their CPD hours using our very own Centre for Professional Development. There is no
membership fee over and above the cost of the CPD activities. Affiliates merely have to sign an ethics
declaration and ensure they acquire 20 CDP points annually.
This new category provides an elegant and affordable solution for FSPs that don’t have the staff/
facilities to manage in-house CPD training for their Key Individuals and Representatives. Such companies
can rely on our well-established CPD policy, procedures and Code of Ethics and Practice Standards to
ensure that all of their Key Individuals and Representatives are objectively certified against our industryleading
benchmarks. In addition, affiliate membership also offers a foolproof road-map for newcomers
who are working towards full, professional membership of the FPI.
Better together
The FPI is all about serving both its members and the wider financial planning community and its consumers
– and this starts with listening to their concerns. In the months and weeks ahead I plan to speak
to as many people as I possibly can. I know I’ll see many of you at the convention (please come over and
introduce yourself), but I’d also love to hear what you’ve got to say before then. My door is always open.
Lelané Bezuidenhout, CEO, FPI
www.bluechipjournal.co.za
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