Morgan Stanley’s Global Wealth Management Group has approved five new professional designations through which its financial advisors can receive specialized training in areas ranging from trusts and retirement planning to alternative investments and the financial aspects of divorce.

The five new designations are: Certified Trust and Financial Advisor, the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst, the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, the Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist and the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst.

The CTFA designation, which is offered by the Institute of Certified Bankers, focuses on personal trusts, with emphasis on fiduciary responsibilities and trust activities, personal financial planning, tax law, investment management and ethics.

The CAIA is sponsored by the CAIA Association, it focuses on alternative asset categories such as hedge funds, private equity, commodities and real estate.

The CRPC focuses on the pre- and post-retirement needs of individuals. It is offered by the College for Financial Planning, as is the CRPS, which is targeted to professionals who design, install and maintain retirement plans for businesses.

The CDFA, sponsored by the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts, zeroes in on the financial expertise required in divorce cases.

Morgan Stanley now offers a total of 13 professional designations to its advisors. Other designations include Certified Financial Planner, Certified Investment Management Analyst, and Chartered Financial
Analyst.

“Continuing professional education enables Financial Advisors to sharpen their skills and gain knowledge that will help them advise our clients on a comprehensive range of wealth management needs. We chose these five new educational programs because of their particular relevance to affluent and high net worth clients,” says Andy Saperstein, chief operating officer, national sales.