• to promote quality, expertise and integrity in the New Zealand financial and capital markets;
• to promote the proper control and regulation of the New Zealand financial and capital markets;
• to promote, support and improve the availability, relevance and standard of professional development and education of Certified Members and Members and within the New Zealand financial and capital markets;
• to provide a forum for Certified Members and Members to meet, discuss and educate themselves on issues relating to the New Zealand financial and capital markets;
• to work to ensure the New Zealand financial and capital markets are relevant and efficient and generally to add value to the operation of the New Zealand financial and capital markets;
• to act as an advocate for its members wherever necessary to support and promote the objects set out in this Schedule;
• to serve the investing public by ensuring the standards of Certified Members and Members are maintained.

In May 2002 the members of the New Zealand Societies of Investment Analysts and Corporate Treasurers approved the merger of these two societies into a national industry body covering the full gambit of the financial and capital markets.

The new body, Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand Incorporated (INFINZ), has individuals as members and does not accept corporate memberships.

INFINZ continues with past practice of offering up to four excellent events for members each month with members being addressed by key speakers from within the industry as well as regulators and central government representatives and employees.

INFINZ has inherited the annual conference previously held by the Society of Corporate Treasurers which is recognised as the industry conference for New Zealand with prominent speakers from the domestic and overseas industries.

A bigger part of the new body will be a focus upon advocacy and representation on behalf of members and the industry. Focus in the first and second year will be to build upon the strong relationships established by the two parent societies to cement in place with regulators, legislators, market operatives and participants and tertiary institutions INFINZ’ credentials as an industry body.

INFINZ is unique in that it covers the entire financial and capital markets industry as well as both the buy and sell side of industry sub-sectors.

Key focus is upon the regulatory environment of the industry and upon the professionalism and standing of individuals working within the industry. INFINZ sees an important ongoing need for relationships with international bodies and its unique broad industry representation means its focus is as much on foreign exchange, interest rates, price risk management and the banking sector as it is upon equities markets, securities analysis, investment banking and funds management.

INFINZ offers an annual two day conference, keynote speaker lunches, half and full day seminars, single speaker presentations and an Awards Dinner to the members and the industry.

INFINZ has become very active in Advocacy and is a well respected and sought after commentator on industry matters. New Zealand has, and will continue to be, undertaken a full review of all securities and investor protection laws and regulations which has kept INFINZ heavily engaged in the design of the investment, treasury, banking, advisory and securities environment in New Zealand.

Elected by the Board and must have five years certified membership and long standing association with the industry in a senior position or have made a significant and valuable contribution to the industry.

CERTIFIED MEMBER

People with approved specified education achievements and 3 years relevant work experience who must be engaged in relevant work at the time they apply. Certification is available to people with a narrow focus on treasury or securities analysis or a broader involvement in finance and investments. In certain circumstances long term relevant work experience will be accepted in place of the education requirement.

MEMBER (NON-CERTIFIED)

Person engaged with the industry but who does not meet the requirements set out above. A Member, Non-certified is entitled to attend meetings, receive the journal and newsletter and participate in all other respects except vote or use post nominals after their name relating to INFINZ.

STUDENT MEMBER

Person undertaking a degree at a recognised tertiary institution in New Zealand in a relevant area of study. Members will attain non-certified membership once they have completed their degree and may, after three years relevant employment, may qualify for certified membership.

INFINZ publishes a newsletter bi-monthly that is currently being sent electronically to the membership and being posted on the website. The newsletter raises issues with members via an editorial and articles of interest.

JOURNAL

INFINZ produces a bi-annual professionally published magazine carrying an editorial, lead article, organisation news, two to three academic research papers and co-published articles from industry participants.