Almost half (43%) of the 45,693 candidates that took the CFA Level I exam in December 2013 passed. This year 3,554 Canadians wrote the exam. Canada represented the fourth largest group to write it, trailing only behind the U.S., China, and India.
The news comes at a time when investment professionals worldwide say they’re more optimism about economic prospects in 2014. However, they aren’t confident that the integrity of capital markets is improving, according to a CFA Institute report.
Read: 5 things that would boost markets this year
“The financial community is dealing with a crisis of investor trust, and industry education at all levels is a critical part of rebuilding that trust,” says John Rogers, CFA, president and CEO of CFA Institute. “The next generation of investment professionals is instrumental in shaping the future of finance.”
Read: CFAs upbeat on global outlook
To earn the CFA designation, candidates must pass all three levels of exam (successful candidates often report dedicating in excess of 300 hours of study per level); meet the work experience requirements of four years in the investment industry; sign a commitment to abide by the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct; apply to a CFA Institute society; and become a member of CFA Institute.