Day: October 12, 2021

WATERLOO, Ontario, Oct. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Teledyne DALSA is pleased to announce that its Linea™ HS 16k Multifield TDI camera is in volume production. The Linea HS 16k Multifield can capture up to three images simultaneously in a single scan using light sources at different wavelengths. Its charge-domain CMOS TDI sensor with 16k x (64+128+64) TDI arrays and a 5×5 μm pixel size, uses advanced wafer-level coated dichroic filters with minimal spectral crosstalk to spectrally isolate the three images. The camera also comes with high-speed CLHS interface, delivering up to 8.4 Gigapixels per second over a single and long length fiber optic cable.

“Advanced multifield imaging technology is what differentiates the Linea HS 16k Multifield camera from other line scan cameras,” said Xing-Fei He, Senior Product Manager, Teledyne DALSA. “The dichroic filters overcome spectral crosstalk of traditional color filters and enable image isolation within the spectral domain.”

The Linea HS 16k Multifield camera significantly improves inspection speeds and image quality. It eliminates the need for multiple scans, thereby boosting inspection system throughput and improving detectability with minimum impact from mechanical vibration. The Linea HS is ideally suited for applications such as inspection of flat panel displays, printed circuit boards (PCB), and semi-conductor wafers; web inspection of film and metal foil; general purpose machine vision and life science applications.

The camera can also be used for color imaging with a white light source. The spectral characteristics of dichroic filters provide unique color representation that can be used to improve detectability.

Key Features:

• Captures three field images at once in a single scan
• High speed line rate of 133 kHz x 3
• High sensitivity multi-array TDI
• Bi-directional scanning
• Assisted alignment marks

For more information visit the website. For high quality images, please visit our online media kit.

Teledyne DALSA is a part of Teledyne’s Vision Solutions group and a leader in the design, manufacture and deployment of digital imaging components for machine vision. Teledyne DALSA image sensors, cameras, smart cameras, frame grabbers, software, and vision solutions are at the heart of thousands of inspection systems around the world and across multiple industries. For more information, visit www.teledynedalsa.com/imaging.

All trademarks are registered by their respective companies. Teledyne reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice.

Media Contact:
Brooks Riendeau
Vice President of Marketing
613-736-4077 ext. 120
brooks.riendeau@teledyne.com

Sales Contacts:
sales.americas@teledyne.com
sales.europe@teledyne.com
sales.asia@teledyne.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/51f4f885-ee86-42a7-ac6a-3719c086520f

WM’s years of detailed testing and optimization has enabled its System to include all Unbanked Persons and all Cash Payments in all countries worldwide into the 21st Century Digital Economy. Solves entrance issues for two of the world’s largest single market-sectors

ST PETER PORT, Guernsey and NEW YORK, Oct. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global Telephony Provider Webtel.mobi (“WM”) has spent years perfecting and optimizing its TUV Global Digital Currency and its Global Clearing System. Its structuring and refinements included facilitating the inclusion of all the world’s Unbanked Persons and Cash Payments into its ecosystem – as described below:

Situation

Cash
All current planning for a Global Digital Economy or a Global Cashless Society is based on flawed assumptions that the usage of Cash is declining, and the use of Digital Money is increasing. These assumptions are wrong. Cash usage is increasing globally and has been doing so, year-on-year, for the past decade. This includes the usage of Cash in Developing and Developed countries. On average, 50% of all transactions, worldwide, are carried out with Cash. No planning for “Cashless Societies” or “Digital Economies” has taken this into account because echo-chamber discussion on these matters presuppose that the entire world functions in the same manner as high-tech cities in Developed Countries – but it does not. Part of the Cash market uses Cash due to choice, and part of it uses Cash because the persons are Unbanked. Cash Payments and the use of Cash represent the largest single market-sector in the world (see the “Resources” section at the end of this article).

Unbanked Persons
Part of the market utilizing Cash are the +/- 2 Billion persons in the Unbanked Sector worldwide. This sector represents people who do not have bank accounts either because of the lack of infrastructure in countries, lack of banks in rural areas, lack of access to reach physical banks from rural areas, lack of online banking facilities, the cost of maintaining bank accounts and of transfers and payment, and the lack of KYC documentation.

Causes
The reasons for the predominance of Cash usage internationally are due to two factors, choice, and force of circumstance:

Choice (due to a variety of reasons, including):

• The cost of opening and maintaining Bank Accounts
• The costs of Digital Payments
• The multiple varieties of fraud possible in Digital and Card Payments
• Chargebacks to Merchants
• Late settlement to Merchants and high retention fees to Merchants

Force of circumstance (due to a variety of reasons, including):

• Lack of Identity Documents / Utility Bills / other documents to satisfy KYC Requirements
• The cost of opening and maintaining Bank Accounts
• The costs of Digital Payments
• Lack of national infrastructure for people to reach towns or cities to access Banks
• Lack of Banking Infrastructure
• Lack of Support Infrastructure for Online Payment problems
• Lack of Infrastructure for ATM placement (for conversion of Digital to Cash when needed)
• Inability of current systems to render digital payments as instant payouts to Merchants
• Inability of current systems to provide conversion between all currencies
• Inability of Mobile Apps to function on Pre-Smart Mobile Phones (50% of Phones in use)
• Inability of Image-Rich and Dynamic (high bandwidth) websites and Mobile Apps to be used in high-cost internet / high-cost mobile data / slow bandwidth countries

Consequences
If using the erroneous views and planning to date, it will not be possible for a Digital Economy to be implemented worldwide, in a unified and standardized manner. If it cannot be implemented in a unified way worldwide, it cannot be implemented at all.

The largest single market-sector in the world by transaction value – Cash Payments – remains a fragmented market sector of 164 different currencies in 197 different countries (245 if including Territories), with no single company providing a unified global service with unified standards to this largest – and potentially most valuable – single market-sector in the world by transaction value.

The largest single market-sector in the world by sector – the +/- 2 Billion Unbanked Persons in the world – are ignored, and continue to labor under adverse circumstances. Those working as Migrant Workers have to remit funds while losing large percentages of their salaries in currency conversion fees and transfer costs. Others experience the dangers of carrying or keeping Cash, and are denied access to the advantages of the 21^st Century Digital Economy – being de-facto Second-Class Digital Citizens.

How WM resolved all of these issues
During its nine years of fully operational testing and refinement worldwide, WM specifically structured its Global Financial System to cater for full inclusion of the Global Cash market and Global Unbanked Sector – including in-situ studies and research in Developing countries among Unbanked communities.

Not only has it resolved all of the issues, its system that resolved all the issues is fully tested, proven, due diligenced and fully-operational worldwide. It has resolved all the issues regarding both Cash Payments and Unbanked Persons – even eradicating the concept of “Banked” and “Unbanked” – consolidated the world’s Cash usage into one unified system with global standards, as follows:

Substitute KYC
WM developed a “Substitute KYC Documentation” system that facilitates a full and satisfactory KYC process for persons without Identification Documents, Utility Bills, and other forms of Personal or address identification. This has been so successful that these Substitute KYC Documents are used by their holders for a variety of non-WM activities too – as they are accepted by other parties independent of WM (see the “Resources” section of this article for an example of WM’s “Substitute KYC Documents”).

Enhanced AML Procedures
WM itself does not accept Cash. Persons using Cash to acquire TUV Digital Currency obtain it from WM’s VSMP Affiliates and Independent Agents, who have in advance transferred funds (“Stored Credit”) to WM for the value of the TUV Digital Currency that they issue. There are advanced AML processes for the acquisition of TUV Digital Currency using Cash – including limits on amounts, frequency, and other tested forms of effective AML – before, during, and after the acquisition of TUV Digital Currency for Cash.

“Best of Both” regarding Digital Money and Cash
WM’s TUV Digital Currency incorporated all the best characteristics of Cash (instant and simultaneous payment and receipt, zero transaction cost, 24/7/364 usability) with the best of Digital (secure storage, secure transfer, global reach, low currency conversion rates, AML, etc). WM also removed the negative aspects of both forms of currency (potential for counterfeiting, fraud, chargebacks, money laundering, etc)

Global distribution and accessibility
WM’s Online Platform is compressed, simplified, and optimized for use by all Smart Phones and Pre-Smart Mobile phones, including in high-cost internet / high-cost mobile data / slow bandwidth countries – including by the 75% of people on expensive prepaid contracts worldwide, and the 50% of Pre-Smart Mobile Phones worldwide. It is therefore deliverable, accessible by, and usable by all persons in all countries.

SCRM Machines and TUV Redemptions for Unbanked persons
For Unbanked persons to redeem TUV Digital Currency back to Cash, WM has developed its own kiosk for “Stored Credit” refund withdrawals – the “Stored Credit Refund machine” or “SCRM”. It is being rolled out in 2022. They are centrally controlled by WM, and are subject to the same security and other standards. They also have limitations on withdrawal amounts conformant with global regulatory standards. They also have mobile and battery-operated versions for remote area placement or access. WM also has a TUV Redemption Process where accredited WM VSMP Affiliates and Independent Agents can redeem TUVs for Cash – subject to stringent KYC and AML processes.

Non-interference with Money Supply, Monetary Policy or Currency Sovereignty
WM does not create or issue currency. It converts currency already issued by Central Banks into Digital Format, using the TUV as a vehicle. The funds (“Stored Credit”) remain in a regulated bank account for the life of the TUV. “Stored Credit” is not a payment, part-payment, or deposit, and remains the property of the owner (and therefore of the country of origin) until redeemed by the owner. As such, no exchange control regulations are contravened because the “Stored Credit” funds remain the property of the owner and issuing country until repatriated. In fact, if owners convert their “Stored Credit”, this has the effect of de-facto raising the issuing country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Zero Cost
Acquisition, Payments, Transfers, Splitting, Consolidation and Redemption of WM’s TUVs are at zero cost.

Through these tested, proven and fully operational structures and processes worldwide, WM has successfully resolved the entry of Unbanked persons and the cash economy into the 21^st Century Digital Economy, and made it possible for a real and practical Global Digital Economy to exist.

The Global and Unified Digital Economy does not have to be waited for or striven for. With the WM System, it already exists.

Resources:

Media Contact:
Nick Lambert: wm@thoburns.com

G45 World Cash Report – Headline Facts:
https://www.g4scashreport.com/top-facts

G45 2018 World Cash Report:
https://www.g4scashreport.com/-/media/g4s/cash-report/files/2018-world-cash-report—english.ashx?la=en&hash=0F3BECD46B4820D7FA32112E99252AAB

Congressional Research Service – Cash Usage in the USA:
https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R45716.pdf

Deutsche Welle – Cash Use in Germany:
https://www.dw.com/en/times-change-but-german-obsession-with-cash-endures/a-43718626

McKinsey and Co – Number of Unbanked Persons Worldwide:
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/financial-services/our-insights/counting-the-worlds-unbanked

Wikipedia – Number of Unbanked Persons in the USA:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unbanked#The_unbanked_in_the_United_States

WSBI – Number of Unbanked Persons in the European Union:
https://www.wsbi-esbg.org/press/latest-news/Pages/Close-to-40-million-EU-citizens-outside-banking-mainstream.aspx

WM Substitute KYC Document:
https://webtel.mobi/static/pdf/Personal_KYC_Substitute_Document.pdf

Research Reports on the Capacities of the WM System:
https://tinyurl.com/TUVresearch

Video on the Capacities of the WM System:
https://youtu.be/XYBrCikUhn8

WM’s urls:
https://webtel.mobi/pc (Tablets / Laptops / Desktops)
https://webtel.mobi (Smart Phones)
https://webtel.mobi/wap (Pre-Smart Mobile Phones)

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/31777266-792a-4ada-9405-f03136f769c3

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cd27d45e-ccef-44a5-9439-cc17df013bb7

Photos are also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress

• Innovation Summit World Tour 2021 urges rapid acceleration of carbon emission reduction to reach 2050 net zero ambition
• Expansion of consulting services for meaningful sustainability progress
• Call to act 3-5 times faster and halve emissions this decade, with smart, green electricity and next-generation automation

Rueil-Malmaison (France), October 12 2021– The world can accelerate urgent climate action and halve carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 2030, according to Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, recognized as the World’s Most Sustainable Corporation in 2021 by Corporate Knights. Kicking off the Innovation Summit World Tour 2021, Schneider Electric Chairman and CEO Jean-Pascal Tricoire’s keynote advocates achievable pathways to net zero set out in the “The 2030 imperative: A race against time” report from the Schneider Electric Sustainability Research Institute.

Schneider Electric’s flagship annual Innovation Summit World Tour (October 12-November 12) will address global climate challenges and guide customers, partners, regulators, and policymakers on rapidly reducing emissions to decarbonize the world’s economy in this decisive decade. Attendees will experience Schneider Electric’s digital and sustainable innovation and learn more about Electricity 4.0 and Next-generation automation.

Urgent need to act fast to decarbonize

Tricoire’s Innovation Summit World Tour keynote urges attendees to adopt critical decarbonization measures and offers Schneider Electric’s own research as a blueprint to stay within a global warming trajectory of 1.5°C degrees. This report details the need to reduce emissions by 30-50 percent this decade, compared to current levels. Missing this makes it virtually impossible to limit temperature rise to a 1.5°C degree threshold as outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC).

The Schneider Electric Sustainability Research Institute modelling shows how 10GtCO2/y can be realistically and affordably abated by 2030. The report focused on a subset of global greenhouse gas emissions. Out of 50GtCO₂e/y, “The 2030 Imperative” scenario finds a 30% (10GtCO₂e/y) abatement opportunity from a 30GtCO₂/y baseline of all energy-related emissions, a significant acceleration from current pledges (ranging around 3GtCO₂e/y, which is 10% of the emissions reduction target). There remains however around 20GtCO₂e/y of non-energy related emissions which is not covered in this report’s modelling.

Schneider Electric is calling for a 3-5 times greater effort from governments and corporates. The Institute believes the only realistic roadmap for success is to deploy proven digital technologies alongside increased electrification as the fastest way to decarbonize buildings, transport, and industry. This approach buys time to address hard-to-abate sectors. Its modelling clearly shows alternative pathways will place too high a burden on consumers.

“Despite increased momentum around sustainability and more companies adopting ambitious targets to tackle climate change, this research reveals how we need to speed up. At Schneider Electric, we are uniquely part of the solution. To support organizations in their quest to decarbonize at pace and deliver on their climate commitments, we are accelerating the expansion of our global sustainability consulting services business to meet the increasing demand for meaningful progress on energy transition and climate action goals,” said Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman and CEO, Schneider Electric. “What organizations require today is a trusted partner who combines strategic planning and target setting with a proven track record of solutions implementation to deliver faster, tangible sustainable outcomes. Having successfully overcome many sustainability challenges ourselves, and in so doing, achieved world-leading digital and electric solutions in our own facilities, we are well-positioned to help others go faster and further.”

Strategies and solutions to decarbonize value chains

Building on its sustainability leadership and the ambition of the 2021-2025 Schneider Sustainability Index, Schneider Electric is accelerating its global sustainability consulting business and expand on a 10-year track record of success in energy and sustainability services.

Today, Schneider Electric is the world’s leader in energy efficiency, energy management, renewable energy procurement, carbon reporting, climate risk assessment, and supply chain decarbonization, providing software and consulting services to more than 30% of the Fortune 500. Customers include Johnson & Johnson, Walmart, Faurecia, Kellogg, Takeda, Velux Group, Unilever, and T-Mobile, among others.

Increasing demand for Schneider’s “ambition + action” advisory services is behind this expansion, including:

• Climate action consulting, and affiliated supply chain decarbonization and climate risk assessment services,
• Communications services, including ESG reporting/ratings and reputational and sustainability claims,
• Circularity and traceability services,
• ESG modules for the award-winning EcoStruxure™ Resource Advisor platform to track societal and governance metrics.

Being part of the solution through digital disruption

As part of its ambition to drive sustainable innovation and build net zero pathways, Schneider Electric helps customers in many sectors to innovate and move to open, interoperable, digital, and simplified systems and smarter ways of doing business. At Innovation Summit World Tour, Schneider Electric is unveiling digital innovation for carbon abatement in homes, buildings, data centers, power grids, and industries.

• Electricity 4.0: Powering the New Electric World with Smart Green Energy

Today, we are witnessing the convergence of digital and electric at scale with software. Electric makes energy green and the best vector for decarbonization. Digital makes energy smart to drive efficiency and eliminate waste. This convergence delivers ‘Electricity 4.0’, the fuel for a New Electric World.

Data Centers: The new APC™ Smart-UPS™ Ultra 5kW is the industry’s first 5kW Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS), designed to deliver more power, flexibility, and intelligent monitoring in the smallest footprint, freeing up valuable IT space for edge applications. Schneider data center customers have reduced their carbon footprint by 37%.

Smart Homes: Today, Schneider is announcing a series of smart sustainable home solutions, including Wiser, that help fight energy waste. By 2050, households are expected to be the single largest consumer of electricity, and the biggest contributor of CO₂ emissions with as much as 34% generated by homes.

Resilient Digital Grids: Schneider’s range of pure air SF6-free technology for net zero grids is extended with the RM AirSeT Ring Main Unit and Modular Switchgear and the MCSeT Active Medium Voltage Air Insulated Distribution Switchboard.

Smart Electrical Distribution: Rethinking Schneider’s Low Voltage TeSys Giga, Canalis Busbar, PrismaSeT Active, New Gen ComPacT, TransferPacT and EcoStruxure Power™ digital products will deliver a simpler, more sustainable, safe and secure user experience for installer and service partners to enhance the resiliency of the world’s growing digital economy, as part of the Partnerships of the Future program.

• Industries of the Future: Resilient and Sustainable with Next-generation Automation.

Step changes in efficiency and agility can be achieved through artificial intelligence, digital twin technology, human insight supported by advanced analytics, and vendor-agnostic industrial software—including Performance Intelligence from AVEVA.

EcoStruxure™ Automation Expert 21.2 provides water and wastewater plants with complete life cycle management. The world’s first software-centric automation system seamlessly integrates IT and OT services, to boost security, increase system longevity, and easily evolve over time. As a universal automation solution, EcoStruxure™ Automation Expert can be implemented with existing hardware. The virtualized controller can run on any Windows or Linux edge computing device, providing industrial enterprises with unprecedented flexibility. Digital collaboration of this sort has the potential to unlock more than $100 billion in value for industries.

EcoStruxure Machine increases efficiency for machine builders and shortens their development time. With the new Lexium MC12 multi carrier for transporting, grouping and positioning products, OEMs can achieve greater productivity and unprecedented flexibility with up to 40% savings on investment costs and 50% faster machine installation and commissioning. Combined with digital twin technology, the new multi carrier also reduces machine design and time-to-market by up to 30%.

About Schneider Electric

Schneider’s purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On.

Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency.

We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries.

We are the most local of global companies. We are advocates of open standards and partnership ecosystems that are passionate about our shared Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values.

www.se.com

        Follow us on:

Visit Schneider Electric Insights Portal by clicking HERE

Hashtags: #LifeIsOn #Sustainability #energytransformation #decarbonization #climateaction #NetZeroHomes #Ecostruxure #IndustrialAutomation #DigitalTransformation #PowerManagement #IoT

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How the Workforce Learns report shows diverse learning experiences, manager support and opportunities to stretch skills are core components of employee engagement

PLEASANTON, Calif., Oct. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A positive learning culture is directly linked to greater organizational agility, faster revenue growth, and increased employee engagement. These are some findings from Degreed’s How The Workforce Learns 2021 report, which unpacks the value of positive workplace learning experiences at a time when business leaders are grappling with challenges like the great job migration and skills shortages. Currently, 55% of the workforce state that they’re likely to look for a new job in the next 12 months. Degreed research found that employees want more guidance on how and what to learn, and they want more diverse and active learning experiences that go beyond the standard live, virtual and online classes. It also highlights the critical role and habits of managers and the importance of getting feedback for career development.

Degreed asked more than 2,400 workers from 15 countries, across retail, healthcare, financial services, technology, professional services, and travel and hospitality, about the behaviors, values, and assumptions that lead to positive learning and career growth experiences at work. Respondents were divided into those who rated their cultures as positive (promoters) and those who rated it as neutral or negative (detractors). The report explores the differences between these two groups.

The link between performance and learning was explored. Promoters are 53% more likely to learn in order to perform better in their current roles. Promoters are also 50% more likely to upskill to prepare for their next potential role. Detractors are disproportionately motivated to learn only to complete requirements (68% higher in the detractor group), highlighting this group’s low levels of engagement.

The findings also challenge the industry’s obsession with content as the only solution for learning and instead show there are four key factors that correlate with more continuous and impactful upskilling and career development:

1. Guidance on what and how to learn
2. Diverse and active development experiences
3. Feedback and insights on progress
4. Opportunities to practice, apply, and stretch skills

In a positive culture, opportunities for career growth are readily available and employees feel more in control of their career, with 81% of promoters stating that they have access to easy-to-use tools for their career planning and 73% saying it’s easy to find new roles internally. While promotions are important in a positive learning culture, How the Workforce Learns data shows that opportunities to move laterally or work on collaborative stretch assignments are just as important and boost retention. Promoters are 235% more likely to switch to a new function in their organization, 101% more likely to work on temporary projects and 189% more likely to work with a mentor or coach; ensuring all of their skills are used to their full potential.

The role of managers in creating strong workplace cultures is also highlighted, with promoters being 270% more likely to say that their manager supports their development. Conversely, detractors were 92% more likely to feel that their manager hasn’t meaningfully supported their development over the past year.

It is more critical than ever to ensure a workforce has the right skills to transform, succeed, and adapt to change. By honing in on the factors that create a positive learning culture in organizations, business leaders can ensure that their upskilling investment is truly engaging their people and driving innovation.

Discover more about How The Workforce Learns 2021 here.

About Degreed

Degreed is the workforce upskilling platform for one in three Fortune 50 companies. We connect all your learning, talent development, and internal mobility opportunities to intelligence on the skills your business needs next. And we do it all in one simple, fluid, skill-building experience that’s powered by your people’s expertise and interests. So you can transform your workforce from within. Founded in 2012, Degreed is headquartered in Pleasanton, California, with additional offices in Salt Lake City, New York, London, Amsterdam, and Brisbane.

Learn more about Degreed: Website | YouTube | LinkedIn | Twitter

Media Contacts:

Sarah Danzl
Head of Global Communications
sdanzl@degreed.com

Certified Investment Management Analyst® -CIMA® certification recognized as global standard for fund allocators

Denver, Co, Oct. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Two associations for investment practitioners who are committed to competent and ethical practice of investment management analysis and fund allocation have formed a multi-year strategic alliance to raise the bar of professionalism, and promote standards of quality for investment professionals around the world.

The strategic alliance aims to support and advance each organization’s respective objectives.

• The Association of Professional Fund Investors (APFI) will work collaboratively with the Institute to promote global awareness and adoption of the CIMA certification as the most relevant global standard for manager research and fund investing, thereby enhancing the competency and professionalism of services delivered to investors.
• Investments & Wealth Institute® has entered into a service agreement with APFI to support their aims to empower professional fund investors to learn, share ideas, network with their peers, and have a collective voice to national and global standards bodies and regulatory authorities.

The APFI has previously released a International Accreditations for Fund Selectors evaluating international accreditations available to industry professionals. While the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation is by far the most widely-held and most well-known accreditation in the financial services industry, the APFI believes that the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA) accreditation is a better fit for professional fund selectors and recommended the CIMA certification as the most relevant and practical for fund allocators.

Adam Choppin, Executive Chairman of the Board for the APFI said, “All of the credentials we reviewed have excellent curricula and provide professionals with the necessary educational core to act as professional fund and manager selectors. But what sets them apart when you look at them side by side is how relevant, practical and useful each one is to a real working professional and what you have to do to maintain it. When we looked at those things objectively, the CIMA certification rose to the top.”

“We really started from a point that said, what set of tools and skills should a fund allocator have, based on our individual experience from across the globe,” said APFI Director, Gandy Gandidzanwa .

The CIMA accreditation is one of only six global accreditations approved by the APFI and of those only two require ongoing education to maintain the designation. “I was actually shocked when we did this review and found how few of these accreditations required ongoing education,” Choppin said. “That you would say you never have to do anything ever again to be equally qualified doesn’t make sense to me. I would never hire a fund manager who never made an effort to improve themselves.”  Formed in 1988 as a credential for investment management consultants, CIMA certification is one of only a handful of professional certifications in financial services that meets the rigorous accreditation requirements of ISO 17024, a global standard for personnel certifications. Earlier this year, CIMA certification was accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board under this standard. Today, the certification requires three years of professional experience, several background checks detailing a clean disciplinary and legal history, completion of a comprehensive executive education program at one of four registered programs – The Wharton School, Chicago Booth School, Yale School of Management, or the Investment Management Research program in Australia. Following 300 hours of self-study, candidates must then pass a 140 question, five-hour examination, with a first time pass rate of 56%. All certified professionals must recertify every two years by maintaining ongoing ethics and continuing education requirements (40 hours every two years).

Operated and managed entirely by member volunteers, and independent of commercial interests, the APFI is a hub for professional allocators and manager research professionals from across the globe. Originally founded in Switzerland and now headquartered in the UK, with a leadership team spread from Cape Town to Kerala and Seattle to Sweden, the APFI’s membership reflects the global diversity of the fund investing profession. The APFI has turned to the Investments & Wealth Institute as a technical partner to enable its global membership access to the modern tools of networking and collaboration for an increasingly digital age. Working with the Institute to globalize the reach of the APFI’s most highly recommended accreditation (the CIMA), also furthers the APFI’s goals of promoting the industry’s highest levels of professional standards and integrity in fund investing.

“This partnership will unlock opportunities for members of the Association of Professional Fund Investors and bring substantial benefits to both organizations,” said Sean Walters, Chief Executive Officer of the Investments & Wealth Institute. “Members and practitioners around the world can benefit from rich content sharing, moderated discussions, and a networked community of the world’s best and brightest global investment professionals, hosted on our new community platform, and facilitated by APFI members, who work on nearly every continent around the globe.”

About the Investments & Wealth Institute

Founded in 1985, the Investments & Wealth Institute is the premier professional association, education provider, and standards body for financial advisors. Through its award-winning events, publications, courses, and acclaimed certifications—Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®), Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®), and Retirement Management Advisor® (RMA®)—the Institute delivers Ivy league-quality, highly-practical education to more than 30,000 practitioners annually in over 40 countries.  Members of the Institute include the industry’s most successful investment consultants, advanced financial planners, and private wealth managers who embrace excellence and ethics in applying a broad set of knowledge and skills in their daily work with clients. www.investmentsandwealth.org

About the Association of Professional Fund Investors

Formed in 2011, the Association of Professional Fund Investors advances the interests of investors by promoting professional standards and integrity in fund investing. APFI members are all professional fund investors – professionals whose principal occupation is the identification and evaluation of investment managers, funds, vehicles, etc. that are external to their own organization. APFI promotes best practices in fund investing by setting global standards of professionalism and accreditation, while empowering professional fund investors to learn, share ideas, network with their peers, and have a collective voice to national and global standards bodies and regulatory authorities. www.profundinvestors.org

Cindy Chaifetz
Investments & Wealth Institute
303.850.3079
cchaifetz@i-w.org