Brazil has seen the largest growth of CFP^CM professionals, according to the Financial Planning Standards Board.

For the first half of 2011, the amount of CFP professionals in Brazil rose by 24.5 per cent from 485 to 604.

The total number of CFP professionals globally now stands at 137,966, up from 133,756 at the end of 2010.

The Instituto Brasileiro de Certificação de Profissionais Financeiros (IBCPF) president Ulf Mannhardt CFP attributed the popularity of CFP to more competition in the wealth management sector.

He said: “Private bankers and independent advisers are using CFP certification as a way to differentiate themselves as professionals.”

There was also growth in European countries such as Austria, Österreichischer Verband Financial Planners (OVFP), reported growth of 10.5 per cent for the first half of 2011.

Professor Otto Lucius, CFP, chair of the board of OVFP, said: “CFP certification is recognised in the Austrian market as the highest-quality credential for those in the financial services industry.”

The OVFP will be celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.

Other countries which saw significant growth were FPSB China and FPSB India which saw growth of 18.4 per cent and 10.8 per cent respectively.

Corinna Dieters, chairperson of the FPSB Board of Directors, said: “Consumers around the world trust CFP professionals and their ‘client-first’ commitment to help them manage their financial affairs to meet their life goals.

“FPSB applauds those who have chosen to take their careers to the next level by meeting the rigorous education, experience, ethics and exam requirements of CFP certification.”