The Financial Planning Standards Board, the global standards-setting body for the Certified Financial Planner designation, is to hold its first World Financial Planning Day on Wednesday 4 October.

World Financial Planning Day (#WFPD17) will take place during the International Organization of Securities Commissions’ (IOSCO) World Investor Week (#WIW2017).

IOSCO’s World Investor Week is a global campaign from 2-8 October designed to raise awareness about the importance of investor education and protection and to highlight the investor education and protection initiatives of securities regulators around the world.

The CISI is the provider of the CFP designation in the UK which has about 1,000 Certified Financial Planners. There are 170,000 CFP-qualified Financial Planners worldwide.

FPSB CEO Noel Maye said: “FPSB has launched World Financial Planning Day to increase consumers’ level of financial literacy and capability, and to help consumers understand the value of Financial Planning and making investment choices within the context of financial and life goals.”

José Alexandre Vasco, chair of IOSCO´s Committee on Retail Investors, said: “World Financial Planning Day will raise awareness of Financial Planning as a global citizenship skill that will help millions of citizens save and invest to improve their financial wellbeing and build a better future.”

During World Financial Planning Day, FPSB and its network of member organisations will aim to promote consumer awareness and understanding of Financial Planning topics including preparing for an unexpected financial emergency; home ownership; building savings; investment planning; and preparing for retirement.

FPSB says that events the public can expect include:
• Pro-bono clinics
• Seminars/roadshows
• Webinars: CFP professionals will host virtual presentations to share tips on how to make good financial decisions.
• Articles & Blogs: CFP professionals will serve as subject-matter experts on financial topics in various media publications.

FPSB has set up a section on World Financial Planning Day on its website.