Convention of Independent Financial Advisors

Name

Convention of Independent Financial Advisors

Legal name

Convention of Independent Financial Advisors (CIFA)

Website

https://cifango.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association and Advocacy Services for Independent Financial Advisors

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Investor Relations (IR) Services (BPAFADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Financial Services & Insurance (FINRA, CFP, IAR, Insurance CE) (EDAAALAJ), National/Institutional Accreditors (Career, Faith-Based, Distance, etc.) (EDADACAB)

Keywords

• Independent financial advisors
• Investor rights advocacy
• Professional financial standards
• International financial forums
• UN ECOSOC NGO

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CIFA is a non-profit Swiss foundation and international NGO that advocates for and defends the interests of independent financial advisors (IFAs) and investors at national and international levels. It delivers value through four core offerings: the bi-annual TRUSTING magazine, a series of White Papers from its Annual International Forums, the Charter of Investors' Rights developed under UN ECOSOC supervision, and the Annual International Forums themselves — gatherings of IFAs, regulators, and policymakers held since 2003. Revenue is generated via membership support, forum participation, sponsorships, and partnerships, not via commercial products.

Product overview

CIFA is a non-profit Swiss foundation and NGO that does not offer a technology product but operates as a professional association and advocacy organization. Its core offerings consist of: the Trusting Magazine (a bi-annual publication covering financial topics and CIFA activities), the White Paper series (reports from annual forums on economic and regulatory issues), the Charter of Investors' Rights (a foundational policy document on investor protections developed under UN ECOSOC), and the Annual International Forums (conferences that bring together financial professionals, regulators, and experts). These publications and events serve the global network of independent financial advisors and work to harmonize regulations and promote ethical standards in the profession.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TRUSTING Magazine: Bi-annual magazine published by CIFA containing important information on various activities of CIFA, annual Forum, UN activities and cooperation with partner associations and federations across the globe
• White Paper Series
• Charter of Investors' Rights

Products and services

• TRUSTING Magazine Bi-annual publication edited by Cosima F. Barone and co-published with FINARC SA, providing CIFA members, partner associations, and advisors with updates on CIFA forums, UN activities, and expert commentary on finance, investment, regulation, and taxation.
• White Paper Series Detailed post-Forum reports from CIFA's Annual International Forums designed to inform international leaders and decision-makers about major cross-border issues impacting sound and sustainable economic growth worldwide.
• Charter of Investors' Rights Foundational policy document developed under UN ECOSOC supervision that defines the fundamental and inalienable rights of investors, with emphasis on private property protection and investor protections.
• Annual International Forums Annual international conferences bringing together independent financial advisors, regulators, and industry experts to discuss financial regulation, ethics, and the independent advisory profession. Forums have been held in Geneva, Monaco, Prague, and Madrid since 2003.

Quantifiable outcome

• Upgraded to general consultative status with UN ECOSOC in February 2015, joining select group of 140 NGOs

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• European Federation of Financial Advisers and Financial Intermediaries (FECIF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFECIF is the European representative body for Financial Advisors, bringing together 30 national organizations and representing over 250,000 advisors. CIFA and FECIF collaborate on advocacy, regulatory matters, and annual forums.
• Association Suisse des Conseils en Gestion Indépendants (GSCGI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGSCGI is the Swiss Group of Independent Financial Advisors. CIFA was established under the auspices of GSCGI in December 2001. GSCGI publishes The IFA's WealthGram magazine.
• Association Nationale des Conseils Financiers (ANACOFI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMain French association representing independent financial professionals, representing approximately 5,000 companies and 40,000 jobs. ANACOFI President David Charlet serves on CIFA's Advisory Board.
• Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal standards body for financial planning. FPSB manages the CFP certification and collaborated with CIFA on forum discussions about suitability and fiduciary standards.
• The Caux Round Table for Moral Capitalism (CRT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRT is an ethics organization focused on moral capitalism. CIFA collaborated with CRT on Ethics and Governance in Financial Markets (2011 Forum) and International Day of Happiness initiatives.
• European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEFAMA represents European investment management industry. Participated in CIFA forums discussing regulation and asset management topics.
• FINARC SAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFINARC SA is CIFA's co-publisher of TRUSTING magazine. Based in Geneva, FINARC provides financial analysis research and consulting services.
• Financial Planning Association (FPA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS-based professional organization for financial planners. Collaborated with CIFA on forum discussions and suitability/fiduciary standards topics.
• Portfolio Management Association of Canada (PMAC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormerly ICAC, PMAC represents portfolio managers and investment dealers in Canada. Tony Mahabir, CIFA President, is connected to Canadian financial planning institutions.
• Society of Financial Service Professionals (Singapore)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSingapore society representing financial service professionals. Leong Sze Hian, President, serves on CIFA's Advisory Board.
• UNITARmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Nations Institute for Training and Research. Collaborated with CIFA on Ethics and Finance initiative (2011) and UN training programs for NGOs.
• Fidurhone SAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneva-based asset management and fiduciary trust company licensed by Swiss FINMA. Jean-Pierre Diserens, CIFA Secretary-General, is Founding Partner of Fidurhone SA.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• European Federation of Financial Advisers and Financial Intermediaries (FECIF): FECIF is the European-level federation for independent financial advisors and financial intermediaries, bringing together 30 national organizations. It is CIFA's closest structural peer and a strategic partner, directly comparable in target constituency (independent financial advisors) and advocacy mission.
• EFPA (European Financial Planning Association): EFPA is a pan-European certification and professional membership body for financial planners and advisors. Comparable to CIFA in serving independent financial advisors across Europe with educational standards and qualifications.
• Association Nationale des Conseils Financiers (ANACOFI): ANACOFI is the main French association representing independent financial professionals, representing approximately 5,000 companies and 40,000 jobs, and a CIFA core partner. Directly comparable as a national-level IFA membership body with advocacy and standards-setting functions.
• Swiss Association of Independent Financial Advisors (GSCGI): GSCGI is the Swiss Group of Independent Financial Advisors under whose auspices CIFA was founded in 2001. It is a national IFA body in CIFA's home market and a foundational partner, directly comparable in targeting independent financial advisors in Switzerland.
• Advocis (Financial Advisors Association of Canada): Advocis is the Canadian association for financial advisors and planners, partnered with CIFA through its ambassadors. Comparable as a national-level IFA membership and advocacy organization serving financial professionals and the public.
• Financial Planning Association (FPA): FPA is the US-based professional organization for financial planners, and a CIFA forum partner. Comparable in serving financial planning professionals with standards, education, and advocacy, though at a national rather than international level.

Regional players

• Portfolio Management Association of Canada (PMAC): PMAC represents portfolio managers and investment dealers in Canada and is a CIFA partner, with CIFA's President connected to it. Comparable as a national financial services membership association, though with a portfolio manager rather than independent advisor focus.

Broad incumbents

• Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI): CISI is a UK-headquartered professional body for those in the financial planning and securities industry. Comparable as a financial services professional membership organization with examinations, standards, and advocacy, though broader in scope than CIFA's IFA focus.
• Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB): FPSB is the global standards body that owns and administers the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) certification. It operates in financial planning professional standards and is a CIFA partner, making it comparable in mission to elevate financial planning standards but with a more formalized certification focus.
• European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA): EFAMA represents the European investment management industry and is a CIFA forum partner. It is comparable as a continental-level financial industry association operating in regulation and advocacy, though its focus is asset managers rather than independent advisors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClkiX8bxU4R-tdeVH22LKuw
• Xx.com/cifango

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Convention of Independent Financial Advisors