Financial Planning Associations and Community Organizations Jointly Organize Free Financial Planning Talks under the MoneySENSE Programme

Singapore, 20 May 2004... MoneySENSE supports the first joint initiative by three major financial planning associations in Singapore, the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA), the Financial Planning Association of Singapore (FPAS) and the Insurance and Financial Practitioners Association of Singapore (IFPAS), and community organizations to put together a series of free community talks on financial planning.

The talks aim to create greater awareness among consumers of the importance of financial planning. Consumers can pick up practical tips on what they should look out for when dealing with financial advisers. They will also learn some simple steps they can take to make effective financial decisions.

The first five talks in this series of educational talks are organized with the support of Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC). The first talk, titled "MoneySENSE and You - Are You Making Effective Financial Decisions", will be launched on Saturday, 22 May 2004 at the Queenstown Community Centre. It is supported by the Central Singapore CDC and Tanjong Pagar GROs. Mr Heng Chee How, Mayor for Central Singapore district and MP for Jalan Besar GRC will officiate at the launch. 

The Presidents of AFA, FPAS and IFPAS - Mr Mohd Amin, Ms Sharmila Gunasingham and Mr Paul Chan - said, "A collaboration of this nature signifies a strong resolve among the financial planning associations to equip consumers with the skills and knowledge to plan for their longer-term financial needs. We hope this series of talks would help Singaporeans realize the importance of getting started early instead of leaving financial planning until they were much older." Ms Tan Gee Keow, General Manager of Central Singapore CDC added, "The Central Singapore CDC is pleased to work with the industry associations who have the expert knowledge to help our residents get started on financial planning. This talk complements the range of programmes organized by Central Singapore CDC that had reached out to more than 1,500 residents. We will continue to support the MoneySENSE programme to reach out to more residents in our district."

Members of the public who are interested in attending the talks can register with Central Singapore CDC at Tel: 6474 1681 / 6370 9913 or email: lifelonglearning@centralsingapore.org.sg.