CFA Institute calls on investment profession to shape the future of finance

MENA– CFA Institute called upon more than 1,300 investment professionals at its 67^th Annual Conference to help shape a trustworthy financial industry that better serves society.  The annual event, taking place in Seattle, is one of the industry’s largest and longest running gatherings of investment professionals. This year’s conference offered insight and education on critical investment issues, market trends, new investment opportunities and practical advice to shape the future of finance.

“In recent years the industry has made substantial progress to reclaim finance as a force for good,” said John Rogers, CFA, president and CEO of CFA Institute, in an address to conference attendees today. “CFA Institute members around the world have rallied around this concept and their actions have made a difference in communities around the world. However, there is much work to be done to shape the industry for future generations.”

Industry leaders speaking at the conference and joining the discussion on how to shape the future of finance included Sheila Bair, Senior Advisor to the Pew Charitable Trusts, Former FDIC Chair; Nate Silver, Editor-in-Chief, FiveThirtyEight.com; Cliff Asness, Co-Founder, Managing Principal and Chief Investment Officer, AQE Capital Management; and William Sharpe, STANCO 25 Professor of Finance, Emeritus, Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

“We welcomed our peers and colleagues from the world of finance, politics and academia to share their ideas and inspire us on our path towards shaping the future of finance,” continued Rogers. “It is the duty of every investment professional to look ahead and ensure the actions we take today are elevating the financial industry to its true potential, one that serves society and generates security for all.”

In unison with the conference theme “Shaping the Future of Finance,” CFA Institute has launched Putting Investors First Month throughout the month of May. The global initiative aims to build awareness and unite financial professionals in a commitment to place investor interests above all others. The event kicked off on May 1 in New York and Chicago, and will continue in more than 50 cities around the world with a series of events and outreach hosted by hundreds of CFA Institute members and many of the organization’s 143 member societies. Events include a symposium in Amsterdam; a conference in Istanbul featuring the Minister of Economics, and the Philippine Retail Investment Conference in Manila.