In a move to equip mutual fund distributors and financial advisors to navigate the rising volatility and complexity of financial products, Fintso, an integrated digital wealth management platform collaborates with AAFM to provide access to their professional certifications.
The American Academy of Financial Management India (AAFM India) through AAFM® FINANCE CLUB announced a tie-up with Fintso, the B2B2C Fintech platform for financial entrepreneurs and independent financial advisors that service the Indian wealth management sector. AAFM is the global professional organization that offers exclusive certified designations, charters, and master’s certification to candidates who meet the AAFM® USA high standards. The entity is a certification body that is TUV Accredited, ISO 9001 & 29990 certified. This move by Fintso is aimed towards upgrading the skillset of Financial advisors to enable them deliver prominent services to their clients.
Rajan Pathak, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Fintso elaborated on the collaboration, “We believe that financial advisors and distributors are aware that the clients they service look to them for knowledge and guidance in an increasingly complex world. Having the certification helps in building their personal brand and enhances the bond with their clients. The AAFM® certifications including Chartered Wealth Manager, CWM® Certification, enables this need, given the stringent international wealth management standards that it certifies.”
Said Mr. Vyas Rai Nagpal, Director from AAFM India – “We are extremely happy at this association with Fintso – it allows amalgamation of knowledge and the ability to execute, to the financial entrepreneurs who are the back-bone of the Wealth management & financial advisory services eco-system. We very strongly believe that this initiative will help our members to expand and build their businesses to the next level. This is the heart of our Mission. The CWM® mark is recognized and accepted Nationwide as being the highest standard for Wealth Management™, and we believe that the Digital support that Fintso provides will enable advisors to stand out in this space.”
Adding to this, George Mitra, Co-Founder and CEO of Fintso further added – “Indian regulators are extremely progressive and are focused towards ensuring quality advise is given to investors. Being certified and registered by SEBI as an RIA (Registered Investment Advisor) will increasingly form a differentiator for business expansion. AAFM® provides the framework and necessary certification that helps in getting this RIA. Fintso itself is building out the support system to enable them to meet the requirements of RIA regulations.”
The collaboration is being kick-started with a subsidized certification course for the subscribers of Fintso. Likewise, AAFM FINANCE CLUB members and participants get preferential access as subscribers to Fintso.
The wallet size of Indians is estimated to be ~$5.5 trillion and is expected to grow to $8 trillion in 5 years, with an increase in first time investors especially those that are looking to invest their savings beyond FDs, real estate and physical gold. It is also extremely fragmented – both geographically and in terms of the needs of the different segments – retail, affluent, HNIs, and UHNIs. It is estimated that over 75% of this market is served by independent, small distributors and advisors. Enabling them to provide better services is acknowledged as being essential in providing quality service and advise to clients.
Commissioner Dr./Jur. George Mentz, Esq. CEO & Founder of AAFM, USA said – “Professional credentialing and development are in a continued revolution around the world. Because we have paid attention to executives globally for more than 20 years, we are innovating education and standards with new methods of metrics, technology, accreditation, pedagogy, and development styles. AAFM FINANCE CLUB is a new innovative way of our education delivery in this digital world. Each certification is targeted at a specific skillset required to perform a role in the finance domain with world-class expertise. I welcome you to learn about our unmatched standards and accredited programs recognized by the AAFM® Certifying Board.”
Prior to this, Fintso also partnered with National Stock Exchange (NSE) Knowledge Hub in July 2020 to empower financial advisors to expand efficiently in the wealth management industry.