An annual flagship event by CFA Society Malaysia, the CFA^® Charter Award Ceremony is to celebrate new CFA^® charterholders who were recently awarded with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA^®) designation, and to recognise Employer Partners who commit to the talent development of their employees through the CFA^® qualifications. This event not only acknowledges the dedication and resilience of the new charterholders, but it also highlights the value of CFA designation in the global finance industry.

In the Welcoming Speech delivered by the President of CFA Society Malaysia - Chong Jin Yoong, CFA, congratulated the newly minted charterholdeers on their achievements in spite of the pandemic. He encouraged them to participate actively in the Malaysian CFA^® Society community and look forward to their fresh ideas and contribution to the industry.

The event is then officiated by the Guest of Honour and one of the founding members of CFA Society Malaysia – Datuk Zainal Izlan Zainal Abidin, CFA, who is the former Deputy Chief Executive of Securities Commission Malaysia. In his keynote, he strongly advocated upholding high ethical standards in the professional field, emphasising the importance of maintaining trust and credibility of the investment industry. He reminded all those present on the mission of the CFA Institute which is to lead the investment profession globally by promoting the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society.

There was also a special guest, Eunice Tee, CFA, a Senior Fund Manager at Eastspring Al-Wara’ Investments, who was invited to share her own personal journey on “Taking Your Expertise Further: CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing”. She imparted that one never stops learning even after the CFA qualifications. She encouraged those present to take up the Certificate in ESG Investing program as it greatly emhanced her understanding and relevance of integrating ESG factors in the investment process. This is increasingly critical given the fact that all the major asset owners and asset managers have now mandated the inclusion of ESG into investment decision making process.

CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, has announced significant enhancements to the CFA^® Program in March 2023 as part of its continual efforts to evolve the Program. These enhancements were highlighted by the other Guest of Honour, Geoffrey Ng, CFA, Member of CFA Institute Board of Governor that these changes address the way today’s candidates learn and prepare them for successful careers as investment professionals, whilealso supplying the industry with the well-trained, ethical professionals it so requires. He has also shared the latest developments at CFA Institute to ensure it remains as relevant as ever to practitioners in the industry.

To earn the CFA^® charter, candidates must sequentially pass three exams that are widely considered to be the most rigorous in the global investment profession. The CFA Program curriculum includes ethical and professional standards; financial reporting and analysis; corporate finance; economics; quantitative methods; equity, fixed income, alternative investments; derivatives; portfolio management; and wealth planning, enabling the CFA^® candidates to have the knowledge and expertise to excel in the investment analysis and portfolio management.

Over the past year, CFA Society Malaysia witnessed 96 candidates successfully accomplished the CFA Program and earned the charter, joining over 950 CFA charterholders currently in Malaysia, signifying their commitment, dedication, and perseverance in achieving the prestigious qualification. We applaud those who became CFA charterholders and joined our growing global community of investment professionals. Together, we are building a better world for investing.

As the newly minted charterholders stepped forward to receive the CFA charter certificates from the award presenters, the room was filled with applause and admiration to congratulate their outstanding achievements. When the award ceremony ended, the new charterholders together with the guests were then invited to a celebratory lunch to cap off this momentous occasion.

We are also proud to have 20 top-tier national organisations as our Employer Partners who closely support their employee's professional development journey in pursuit of the CFA qualifications.

Cognizant of the vital role that employers play in nurturing and supporting their employees’ professional career development, we officially launched the Employer Recognition Program in 2020. Pioneer amongst the global CFA Society network, the

Society endeavored to foster strong engagements to formally recognize top employers in Malaysia who:

In its’ third year running, CFA Society Malaysia’s Employer Recognition Program for 2023 features a more extensive and expanded network of 20 Employer Partners, which are:

The Society is proud to have these top organisations as our key employer partners in advancing our missions to promote the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence in the finance and investment industry.

CFA Society Malaysia is the local member chapter of CFA Institute’s worldwide network. Founded in 1997, CFA Society Malaysia is the leading association of investment professionals in the Malaysian financial industry, supporting the professional development and advancement of CFA charterholders, and advocates initiatives that promotes the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society. For more information, visit our website or contact us at [email protected]