The number of affluent Canadians has doubled over the past decade and many of these individuals are nearing or have already transitioned into retirement.
Private banking/wealth management is one of the fastest growing sectors within the financial services industry. Global wealth has been rapidly increasing and is expected to grow at a steady pace in the years to come. Never before has there been such a demand for expert wealth managers. Today's high net worth clients want sound advice from someone who understands their complex and changing needs.
To meet this demand CSI has partnered with the Swiss-based Association of International Wealth Management (AIWM) to offer a strategic wealth designation program that meets the changing needs of today's financial services industry. As the global standard for strategic wealth management, the path to the Certified International Wealth Manager designation includes courses and certifications to help you grow your relationships with today's high net worth clients.
HOW THE CIWM WILL HELP
The CIWM is designed to prepare students to manage the complex requirements of affluent clients. Upon successful completion of the CIWM Certification Exam candidates are eligible to apply for the Certified International Wealth Manager designation and be ready to:
- Build and manage client relationships that result in a successful partnership
- Establish and implement wealth accumulation and management strategies
- Collaborate with clients to preserve wealth and optimize the conversion of assets into income
- Develop and implement a wealth transfer plan that reflects client wishes
- Coordinate and monitor a team of experts to provide a fully integrated, well-rounded wealth management service
- Apply business marketing techniques to build a successful practice
Your learning path to achieving the CIWM Designation
The learning pathways for the CIWM have changed. CSI will continue to recognize the historical pathway to CIWM for students who have completed the CIWM learning path courses by May 8th, but has introduced a new pathway which will be the standard route going forward.
Students who have completed the CIWM learning path by May 8th 2019, will have the option of either writing the Strategic Wealth 360 or the new CIWM Certification Exam. The SW 360 will be offered until that assessment is replaced by the CIWM Certification Exam in the fall of 2019.
Historical Pathway
New Pathway
To be eligible to enrol in the CIWM Certification Exam, you must meet:
- The pre-requisite requirements:
- Candidates must hold either a Financial Planning (PFP, CFP or CLU) or Investment Management (CIM or CFA) designation, or
- have completed CSI's Wealth Management Essentials (WME) Course
- In addition to meeting the pre-requisite requirements, candidates must complete the Dealing with High-Net Worth Clients' Program or equivalents to be eligible to register for the CIWM Certification Exam. The Dealing with High-Net Worth Clients' program, consists of the following five courses:
Each course consists of a series of modules (6 to 10 modules depending on the course) covering specialized topics within that competency domain. The modules range in length from .5 to 6 hours. Each module concludes with an online test. Completion of that test earns the learner multi-jurisdictional CE credits. Students thus earn CE credits incrementally as they work their way through the course. Completion of all online tests within a course earns the learner a course completion notice along with a micro-certificate which is represented to the student in the form of a digital badge.
For more information on the composition of the Dealing with HNW Clients' Program click here.
The educational path must be completed not more than 5 years prior to application to write the CIWM Certification Examination. Exemptions can be granted for courses offered by other education providers.
Individuals must apply for the CIWM designation within 5 years of successfully completing the CIWM Certification Examination.
Experience Requirement to Earn the CIWM Designation
Candidates applying for the CIWM Designation, must have at least 3 years of experience working directly with, or in support of, the wealth management needs of retail clients.Assessments
Because of the experience and pre-requisite requirements, CIWM candidates are already quite mature students. The assessment methodology will reflect this. Candidates working their way through the CIWM learning path (Dealing with High-Net Worth Clients Program) will be subject to on-line quizzes only.
CIWM candidates who are eligible for the CIWM Certification Exam will be subject to an assessment that tests their ability to apply knowledge rather than memorize it. As well, the assessment can be completed remotely (candidates can do it from home) rather than having to come into a testing center.
Equivalents/Exemptions
| Course Exempted | Course that gives exemption | CSI Certificate that gives exemption | External certification that gives exemption* |
|---|---|---|---|
Retirement Planning for HNW |
CRS (Certificate in Retirement Strategy) |
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Investment Strategies for HNW |
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) |
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CIM or CIWM |
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Estate Planning for HNW |
CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) |
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|
TEP (Trust and Estate Practitioner) |
*External Designation Recognitions are subject to CSI's External Designation Recognition policy and fee.
Who Should Enrol
The CIWM designation program is designed for individuals with experience in the financial services advisory professions, working within a securities or mutual fund dealers, bank, or a financial planning organization in the capacity of:
- Investment advisors
- Financial advisors
- Financial planners
- Private bankers
- Mutual fund representatives
- Life insurance specialists