CFP Board Urges Better Disclosures, Clearer Language for Investors
Encourages Reforms to Better Educate the Investing Public
WASHINGTON, March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Investors need simpler, easier to understand disclosures that are written in plain English and are provided before the investor hires a financial intermediary, Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. recommended in a letter sent to the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the SEC's study on financial literacy among investors.
"We believe that investor education, including timely and effective disclosures, is important to the protection of investors, regardless of who is providing the advice," wrote CFP Board Chief Executive Officer Kevin Keller, CAE. "The additional disclosure requirements we recommend, many of which are currently embraced by CFP® professionals under our Standards of Professional Conduct, will help investors make key financial decisions including what type of advisor is best suited for them. Additional disclosures alone are not enough to protect investors and build confidence in our capital markets. That is why we will continue to urge the SEC to adopt a uniform fiduciary standard of care applicable to all who provide personalized investment advice to investors."
In the letter sent to the SEC, which can be viewed here, CFP Board recommended among other things:
- Requiring disclosures in four focused areas: conflicts of interests (including a financial intermediary's standard of care), fees and costs, background of the financial intermediary and scope of representation;
- Requiring that the recommended disclosures be made prior to the engagement of a financial intermediary (i.e., financial advisor, financial planner, broker-dealer); and
- Requiring all disclosures be written in plain English, be provided in writing and be made available electronically.
Keller noted that a recent survey by CFP Board showed more than two-thirds (67 percent) of all Americans believe that they are solely responsible for their own financial security, including retirement. At the same time, 67 percent of survey respondents also agree that the government has a role in protecting investors from fraud and abuse.
"This indicates to us that enhanced investor protections and better information is needed for the individual investor," said Keller.
ABOUT CFP BOARD
The mission of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. is to benefit the public by granting the CFP® certification and upholding it as the recognized standard of excellence for competent and ethical personal financial planning. The Board of Directors, in furthering CFP Board's mission, acts on behalf of the public, CFP® professionals and other stakeholders. CFP Board owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements. CFP Board currently authorizes more than 65,000 individuals to use these marks in the U.S.
SOURCE Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.
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