2020 served as a new Renaissance for learning & development. But like all periods of great expansion, there are opportunists whose efforts degrade the field, rather than improve it.
Sean R. Walters, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, Investments & Wealth Institute

Recent Posts
Who Certifies the Certifier? Making a case for accreditation
Point & Click Credentials
2020 served as a new Renaissance for learning & development. But like all periods of great expansion, there are opportunists whose efforts degrade the field, rather than improve it. This article is part 1 of three series that addresses best practices if you are developing and delivering credentialed solutions for professionals, and what to watch for if you are seeking professional development.
The Role of Continuing Education in Competency Assurance
Continuing education is important not only to our industry but to consumers. Our industry is constantly changing, we have seen the industry evolve over the last 70 years greatly; from new technologies, and products to portfolio management theories. Continuing education is necessary for our industry and for financial advice professional to stay current with the latest developments, skills, and new technologies. Not only that, studies have shown that continuing education can boost confidence and...
A Tale of Times....
Ours is not a unique story. But I wanted to share a few words on how proud I am of the accomplishments of the volunteers and staff of the Investments & Wealth Institute. Maybe you are a financial advisor running a team or practice, or a fellow association executive or talent development professional running a business model that seems under assault, or you are just your everyday, average entrepreneurial LinkedIn drifter looking for real-life case studies of organizations and how they are...
Licensure vs. Certification
Recently, The Wall Street Journal criticized the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board) regarding the integrity of their search directory for CFP® professionals that resulted in a lot of commentary and confusion. As a certifying body like the CFP® Board, the Investments & Wealth Institute would like to clarify some misconceptions brought to light by the article.
Topics: financial advisors
Advisor Price Pressure—Work Smarter, not Harder
Meet—and exceed—client expectations by utilizing a variety of tools and strategies to add value, rather than just working harder.
Topics: investments, economics, wealth