Bankers, lawyers, accountants, risk managers, investment analysts and advisors are meeting today to try and form an umbrella organisation bringing together all those who give financial advice to individuals and corporations.

"Very often we work together when dealing with financial planning but we don't have a forum to come together,'' Ernst & Young manager of tax services Patrick Hackenberg said yesterday. "It's a way to network.'' Mr. Hackenberg is on the five member steering committee of the yet-to-be-formed Bermuda chapter of the International Association for Financial Planning (IAFP), an organisation based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Those behind the formation of the chapter include representatives from First Bermuda Securities, Appleby, Spurling & Kempe, and the Freisenbruch-Meyer Group.

The IAFP has 17,000 members from 50 states and 25 countries and is an industry-wide association to bring together professionals in the financial planning sector.

"The organisation fits well with Bermuda,'' Mr. Hackenberg said.

IAFP international relations manager Laura Boulet said the IAFP is organised as an open forum for the exchange of ideas. Ms Boulet is in Bermuda to help promote the opening of the chapter. She said a new international organisation -- The World Financial Planning Forum -- was created at a meeting in Japan last month. The formation of a Bermuda chapter would give the Island a say in the new organistion.

About 80 people have signed up for a 5:30 p.m. reception at First Bermuda Securities offices on Church Street. All those interested are welcome to attend.

WORKING TOGETHER -- Patrick Hackenberg and Laura Boulet CONFERENCE CON