The International Association for Financial Planning (IAFP) is about to create a Bermuda chapter, opening the door to a quality selection of education programmes for local professionals.

IAFP is a professional membership association dedicated to advancing the financial planning process as the foundation for smart decision-making.

Steering committee chairwoman for the local chapter, Jennifer Patterson, said more than 60 local professionals in banking, insurance, law, accounting, securities and trust sectors will attend a reception to introduce the new chapter next week Thursday evening at the offices of First Bermuda Securities.

The reception will be marked by a welcome address from IAFP manager of international relations Laura Boulet.

Ms Patterson said, "We're very pleased to have so many people in support of such an important step for the industry. We believe that all sectors of the community will benefit from this organisation.

"Professionals will be able to exchange ideas with members of the industry as a whole and perhaps obtain a new perspective. Consumers will be provided with the names of qualified advisors meeting various criteria. And the community as a whole will benefit from the coordination of IAFP and various governmental agency work and from IAFP's professional standards.'' The IAFP is headquartered in Atlanta, and is the oldest and largest non-profit organisation of its type in the world.

It provides a forum for networking and the exchange of knowledge and experience among professionals in all areas of the financial services industry with more than 17,000 members throughout the US and 25 other countries.

Local programming chairman Patrick Hackenberg said the local chapter will hold at least six education programmes a year.

He said, "Members should be able to use these programmes to meet the continuing education requirements of their other professional associations.'' Membership chairwoman Karen Corless added, "We're very excited to have so much interest. Now we need members. We believe we have something for everyone.

If a particular individual is passionate about any particular area we hope he/she will not only join, but also chair a committee.'' Ms Patterson said, "Above all, we hope that IAFP Bermuda will become a forum where issues that individuals feel strongly about can be raised and dealt with amongst similarly interested, like-minded people. We look forward to speaking with our future members on May 21.''