Enroll NowWhat People Are Saying
Hundley Batts, Jr., CAS®
Hundley Batts and Associates Insurance Agency LLC
“ After completing my CAS® designation in 2005…two weeks later I rolled a $217,000.00 case. IBF gave me the tools and knowledge to close the sale. Thanks IBF for taking my sales to the next level!”
Richard Chrzanowski , MSFS
Money Concepts Capital Corp.
“When I came into the industry some 20 years ago, the best advice I received was to contact the IBF to obtain my CFS® Designation. Going through the coursework was not only interesting but enlightening. I have no doubt that the knowledge gained, kick-started my career in financial services. Over the years, I have found myself going back to the well, so to speak, and utilizing IBF resources on an ongoing basis. I have received several certifications, as well as, my MSFS. The creditability and prestige gained through my association with the IBF has been invaluable to my practice.”
Tony Glaza, MSFS
Glaza Tax Advisory Group Inc.
“IBF has helped make me an educated advisor for my clients, instead of being another financial salesperson.”
“I like efficiency, so when I found out that I could satisfy my state CE requirements while earning additional designations, there was no need to think about it (i.e., enrolling in the IBF curriculum).
“For me, this is one of the best professional development programs I have completed.”
Randy Watson, CES™
Secure Financial Inc.
“Our business is all about trust. Having the CES™ designation sets me apart from other advisors, and differentiates me from being "just another financial sales guy". People see me as an Estate Planner in addition to being a Financial Advisor, and that has helped us get in front of more people than we had in the past. While I'm sure there are other factors that went into our success, all I know is that my business more than doubled from the two previous years after I got the CES™ designation. And it's been going steady since.
Coincidence??
I sure don't think so!!!”
Dan McDevitt, MSFS
Ameriprise Financial
"Wealth Management demands sophisticated advice. The IBF MSFS has provided me the knowledge to disseminate that level of advice to my clients."
Tom Welsh, MSFS
Raymond James Financial Services
“Continuing education in financial services is sometimes more continuous than educational. There are CE requirements and deadlines imposed by FINRA, our firms, the professional designations we hold, our states, and licensing authorities. The quality of the courses that qualify for credit varies widely as does the knowledge gained. After 25 years of experience in the industry, I had seen it all and never missed a CE requirement but felt the decline in the value of my CE experience. I enrolled in the Certified Fund Specialist® (CFS®) course through IBF and got off the CE merry-go-round I was on. I found a course curriculum that was challenging, comprehensive, and practical at the same time. Earning the designation was not easy, but it has added to my knowledge and brought me up to date. Both my clients and I have benefited from effort that earning the designation took, and it qualifies for CE credit. Thanks IBF, you put the education back into continuing education.”
“I came to IBF to earn the Certified Fund Specialist® (CFS®) and liked it so much I stayed for the Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS). I was thoroughly challenged by the curriculum and have been able to put into my practice what I have learned. I am a better advisor today as a result of the work that went into earning the designation. My clients have benefited and they are appreciative of the effort earning the degree required.”
“Our industry has become increasingly complicated. We need to work hard to increase our knowledge to stay on top of all the changes. If we want to move forward in the industry we need to do more than just staying even. I felt the MSFS designation I earned through IBF dramatically improved my knowledge in very technical areas. It also gave me tools and techniques to increase my effectiveness in working for my clients. The investment in time and money was well spent.”
Steve Gerbino, MSFS
Gerbino Financial Group
“I choose IBF to continue my education and professional development because of the real-world curriculum, format of each course, and notoriety of IBF's professional designations within the financial services industry. The benefits gained from completing these programs have helped me grow my practice and given me the ability to have a higher knowledge base, which in today's complex financial world is essential in order to provide the best advice to clients.”
Ray Ambrosino, MSFS
Garden State Securities
“I take great pride in becoming a member of this exclusive group of my peers that has shown a commitment above and beyond the average industry standards. Achieving a MSFS degree shows my continuing efforts of providing top levels of investment counsel and financial service to my clients. The added benefit of having investors with a certain feeling of reassurance that coincides with my supplementary education through IBF is invaluable.”
Tim Wilkinson, CFS®
ING Funds Distributor LLC
“As the head of training for an asset management firm I wanted my employees to have a deeper understanding of the Mutual Fund arena. I looked at other certifications and a couple things that drew me to IBF's Certified Fund Specialist® were the extensive coverage of our business, the case study to put into practice what they learned, and the Continuing Education to keep my sales force current on updates in our industry.”
Hadley Joseph, MSFS
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
“I came to IBF seeking to complete my CFS® but within 2 years I was able to successfully complete my MSFS, which provided me with a good foundation as I progressed throughout my career.”
David Witz
Fiduciary Risk Assessment LLC
“Institutional and retail investors seek investment direction from experienced expert professionals and few academic curriculums demand the industry respect and recognition for achievement that a Certified Fund Specialist® (CFS®) provides. There are certainly other designations available in the market that can be obtained over the weekend but IBF adheres to a standard of excellence that demands more from their candidates and that is why the premier investment advisors pursue CFS®. Investors get more when they hire a CFS® designee that is why I recommend to all investment advisors I consult with to pursue the CFS® designation."
Willard E. Gombert, MSFS
The Financial Architects Inc.
"Focused learning to help clients and stay on top of legislative and product changes is imperative! IBF course materials have helped me develop the skills and discussions necessary to help current clients and turn prospects into clients. As a result I have fewer and larger clients - allowing me more time to focus on more profitable clients and working with people and families I enjoy seeing. I will continue to work with IBF as they continue to provide top tier information to me for my benefit and the benefit of our clientele."
Alan Cormier, MSFS
ING Financial Advisers LLC
“After receiving a Master's Degree in Communication and Information systems, I wanted to dive into the financial arena because I was working in that Industry. I started with the CFS® program and was totally excited because I realized how much I didn't know about mutual funds. I was convinced after attaining that designation that I needed to learn more and the Institute of Business & Finance would be the financial foundation for which to build from. Three years later and a MSFS degree from IBF, I am confident in any environment. I am now helping the Institute of Business & Finance market their professional designation programs. Thanks IBF for creating a successful financial career path!”
J. Michael Egan, MSFS
ING Financial Partners Inc.
“IBF has really been working hard to create & design a modern day program that covers every aspect for a serious advisor of intrinsic value that has desire to serve their clients above all else & build their practice with conviction.”
Dan Cooper, CAS®
Blue Print Retirement & Tax Advisory Group
“I have the Reference Sheets in a folder on a table next to the conference table where I counsel with clients and prospective clients. They’re readily available and right at my fingertips; great resources and very professional, thank you again.”
Patrick Lyman, CAS®
Compass Investment Partners
“My experience in working with the IBF staff was very positive. They all were very supportive and encouraging - the course material was very thorough, informative and challenging. Testing format was practical and flexible - all in all - a very positive experience.”
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