FPSB India Launched the ‘Psychology of Practice’ Course For Financial Professionals

FPSB India, the Indian subsidiary of the Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB), announced the launch of its ‘Psychology of Practice’ course on 4th October during the India Financial Planning Conclave 2024, held in association with the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) at GIFT City, Gandhinagar and the event marked a significant milestone in developing a world-class financial services workforce in India, aligning with the celebration of World Financial Planning Day.

‘Psychology of Practice,’ designed specifically for financial sector practitioners. The course, designed for financial sector professionals, will be available in December 2024 and will be integrated into the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) curriculum by April 2025 to equip professionals with essential skills to understand client behaviour, enhance advisory practices, and build lasting client relationships.

Financial Planning Standards Board 

FPSB, headquartered in the USA, is a global organisation that develops, promotes, and enforces professional standards in financial planning through the CFP certification. FPSB India is home to over 2,731 CFP professionals, forming a global network representing more than 223,770 CFP professionals worldwide.

Course details

• The ‘Psychology of Practice’ course is designed to provide financial professionals with a deeper understanding of client behaviour, enhancing advisory practices and fostering long-term client relationships.
• It will transform how financial professionals approach client advisory services by blending technical expertise with a deep understanding of client psychology.
• Committed to raising the bar for financial planning professionals in India and creating a world-class talent pool that meets international standards.
• Understanding the psychological biases and emotions influences financial decisions.
• Techniques to effectively communicate by building trust within clients.
• Leveraging emotional intelligence to handle sensitive client situations and improve client satisfaction.
• Practical case studies and real-life scenarios to apply psychological concepts in financial planning.

Key Discussions on the Evolving Financial Landscape

The conclave brought together industry experts and policymakers to discuss the evolving financial landscape and the critical need for skilled professionals to drive growth and innovation. Panels featured insights from prominent industry leaders, including Dr. Dipesh Shah, Executive Director of IFSCA, and Sh. Pradeep Ramakrishnan, Executive Director of IFSCA, emphasised the importance of fostering financial literacy and professional excellence in India’s financial planning sector.

GIFT IFSC: A Global Financial Hub

The event also highlighted the rapid emergence of GIFT IFSC as a preferred global financial centre with over 700 registered financial institutions, GIFT IFSC serves as a gateway for global capital flows into India. FPSB India for successfully organizing the conclave and emphasising the growing opportunities for CFP professionals in the financial services ecosystem within GIFT IFSC being one of the key objectives for establishing the IFSC enabling young Indian talent to exhibit their competencies in finance and technology fully.

A Future of Continuous Dialogue and Development

The event concluded with the promising continuation of dialogues and the creation of platforms for knowledge sharing and professional development. Participants expressed a shared goal of strengthening India’s position as a global financial hub, ensuring that the financial services sector remains competitive and innovative.

This initiative is tailored for financial professionals, particularly those working towards or holding the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification focusing on the psychological and behavioural aspects of financial advice, this course aims to enhance client engagement, trust-building, and retention. It emphasizes understanding client behaviour beyond just financial goals—exploring emotional and cognitive biases that impact financial decisions.