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fsgmichigan.com 39 DEFINITIONS Professional Designations 1 Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®): Candidates must complete a rigorous program of study in advanced financial planning topics, typically consisting of eight college-level courses offered through The American College of Financial Services. Candidates must also have three years of full-time professional experience in the financial services industry and adhere to a code of ethics. 2 Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®): Overseen by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, requires candidates to complete a CFP Board-registered education program, pass a comprehensive certification exam, hold a bachelor's degree, and accumulate at least 6,000 hours of professional financial planning experience or 4,000 hours of apprenticeship. CFP® professionals must also adhere to the CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. 3 Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®): Administered by the Investments & Wealth Institute, requires candidates to have at least three years of professional experience in investment management or a related field and hold an acceptable degree or license (e.g., CPA, CFA). Candidates must complete a rigorous education program through an accredited university partner, pass a certification examination, and commit to ongoing professional development. 4 Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®): Offered by The American College of Financial Services, focuses on philanthropic planning and requires candidates to complete three graduate-level courses that cover charitable planning strategies and philanthropic tools. Candidates must also have relevant professional experience and adhere to ethical standards. 5 Certified Digital Asset Advisor (CDAA®): Designed for financial professionals working with digital assets, requires candidates to complete an educational program covering blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and digital asset investment strategies. The program typically includes an examination and adherence to ethical and professional standards. 6 Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS): Offered by The American College of Financial Services, is an advanced graduate program for financial professionals seeking expertise in financial services, estate planning, and related fields. To earn the MSFS degree, candidates must complete an intensive curriculum, typically consisting of eight graduate-level courses, and submit a capstone project or thesis demonstrating mastery of the subject matter. 7 Retirement Income Professional (RIPC®): The RIPC® designation focuses on retirement income planning and is designed for professionals who want to deepen their expertise in helping clients manage income during retirement. Candidates must complete a series of courses covering topics such as retirement income strategies, Social Security, and income tax planning. Like other designations, candidates must also meet professional experience requirements and abide by a code of ethics. Other Definitions 8 Russell 2000: A stock market index that measures the performance of the smallest 2,000 companies in the Russell 3000 Index, representing a broad cross-section of small-cap stocks in the United States. This index serves as a benchmark for the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity market and is often used by investors to assess the health and performance of smaller, growth-oriented companies. 9 S&P 600: A prominent benchmark for small-cap companies in the United States. It includes 600 companies that meet specific criteria for size, liquidity, and financial health, providing a comprehensive representation of the small-cap sector. The S&P 600 is often favored by investors seeking exposure to smaller, yet well-vetted, companies with robust earnings histories and sound financial metrics. 10 Moody's & Fitch: Two of the leading credit rating agencies that evaluate the creditworthiness of governments, corporations, and financial instruments. Moody's Investors Service assigns ratings based on its proprietary methodology to assess the ability of an entity to meet its debt obligations. Similarly, Fitch Ratings provides credit ratings that help investors gauge the likelihood of default or financial distress for bonds and other debt securities. Both agencies play critical roles in the global financial markets by providing transparent and independent evaluations of credit risk. 11 AM Best: A global credit rating agency that specializes in the insurance industry. It provides financial strength ratings, issuer credit ratings, and other analyses to help investors and policyholders assess the stability and creditworthiness of insurance companies. AM Best's ratings are highly regarded in the insurance sector and serve as a benchmark for evaluating an insurer's ability to meet its financial commitments. 12 Standards & Poor: A leading financial services company known for its credit ratings, indices, and market analyses. S&P assigns credit ratings to governments, corporations, and financial products, offering insight into the credit risk associated with borrowing and investments. Additionally, S&P is renowned for its indices, such as the S&P 500, which serves as a primary benchmark for the U.S. stock market and reflects the performance of 500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the country. S&P's ratings and indices are essential tools for investors and market participants worldwide. Financial Strategies Group, INC is a Registered Investment Adviser. This brochure is solely for informational purposes. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Financial Strategies Group, INC and its representative are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by Financial Strategies Group, INC unless a client service agreement is in place.