FOR RELEASE
April 3, 2009

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Beau Ballinger
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IMCA's CPWA Certification Accepted by Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance Bureau of Securities
CPWA Certification Joins IMCA’s Previously-Accepted CIMA Certification

DENVER—April 3, 2009—The Certified Private Wealth Advisor^SM (CPWA^®) certification, administered by Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA^®), was accepted for use by investment advisor representatives and broker-dealer agents this week by the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance Bureau of Securities.

According to Interpretative Opinion No. 26, it is in the public interest and is necessary for the protection of Nebraska investors to issue this opinion regarding the use of certifications and designations by agents of broker-dealers and investment adviser representatives authorized to do business in Nebraska.

The state considers a number of criteria when evaluating acceptable designations and certifications, including the history and reputation of the issuing organization; the experience and educational requirements for obtaining the designation; the type, complexity, and length of the examination; the continuing education requirements; an adherence to ethical standards; and the disciplinary rules and procedures in place for revoking the credential.

“Nebraska is setting a standard by reviewing the financial designations used within the state,” said Dede Pahl, IMCA’s executive director. “We believe that IMCA’s CPWA certification is a high-quality, valid program, and we are proud to be included in Nebraska’s list of acceptable designations.”

The CPWA certification program is designed to provide advanced expertise in the life cycle of wealth: accumulating, preserving and protecting, and distributing wealth. Key topics of the program include advanced tax planning, portfolio management, executive compensation, concentrated stock, planning for the closely held business, retirement planning and distribution, asset protection, charitable planning, and advanced estate planning. The program is taught in conjunction with the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, which provides candidates with the knowledge required to better-serve their high-net-worth clients.

“With the rise of family offices, it is clear to us that the CPWA certification serves a niche of the financial services industry by better-preparing wealth management experts for dealing with complex issues facing their high-net-worth clients,” said Ms. Pahl. “We have seen an increased interest in the certification throughout the financial services industry, and have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from those who have completed the program.”

The minimum experience requirement for CPWA participants is five years. Prior to the in-class portion of the program, attendees are required to complete a seven-month, managed self-study period. Following the week at Chicago Booth, candidates must pass a three-hour comprehensive exam.

“The CPWA certification program was terrific, specifically as it relates to the classroom session where practical application was utilized,” said Randal Golden, CPWA^®, managing director of FGMK/Preservation Capital Partners, LLC, in Bannockburn, Ill. “The education garnered through the curriculum was invaluable as we are now able to extrapolate, interpret, and provide expertise in areas we were unable to previously.”

For more information on the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance, and to read the entire Interpretative Opinion No. 26, visit their Web site. For more information on IMCA’s certification programs, click here.

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