Professional Designations & Expertise

At Bedel Financial, we are highly selective about who we invite onto our team because we want only the best talent in our industry to serve our clients. Our professionals bring deep experience, expertise, and well-honed skills to the firm. We are proud to have CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioners (CFP^®), Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA^®) charterholders, Certified Investment Management Analyst^® (CIMA^®) professionals, and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst® (CAIA^®) charterholders on our team-reflecting our commitment to professional excellence. These designations are widely regarded for their rigorous standards and are among the most respected credentials in their respective fields, allowing us to deliver sophisticated, client-first wealth management.

CFP^®

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner's broad knowledge helps create the total financial picture for a client. Our practitioners are educated to know how financial areas like investments, insurance and employee benefits all fit together. Sometimes a client won't know to ask “what are my other options?” A CFP^® Practitioner looks at all the options, even ones that he or she may not be directly involved in managing. A CFP^® Practitioner is bound and guided by a Code of Ethics to put the client's interest first. Our primary ethical standard is to meet the client's needs with a financial plan and recommendations that are personalized. We are obligated to practice in the most efficient and effective manner to meet the goal of “what is the best I can do for this client?” Working with a planner who has the CFP^® certification gives clients an extra level of comfort. For additional information regarding the CFP^® designation, you may visit www.cfp.net.

Chartered Financial Analyst^® (CFA^®)

There are a wide range of credentials in the investment industry today. The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation is widely held as the most stringent of investment credentials or as the “gold standard” for investment professionals. In order to receive the designation, an investment professional must pass three rigorous exams, each requiring hundreds of hours of study. Passing candidates must demonstrate a mastery of the following investment topics - economics, quantitative analysis, securities valuation, derivatives, and portfolio management. On average, only one out of five professionals who registers as a candidate receives the full designation. It takes the successful candidates approximately five years to complete the process. In addition to demonstrating a high level of professional skill, CFA charterholders and candidates are held to strict ethical standards. This is critical as the strength of our profession is based on trust. Employees at Bedel Financial Consulting who are CFA charterholders or candidates are held to the following Code of Ethics as established by the CFA Institute:

• Act with integrity, competence, diligence, respect, and in an ethical manner with the public, clients, prospective clients, employers, employees, colleagues in the investment profession, and other participants in the global capital markets.
• Place the integrity of the investment profession and the interests of clients above their own personal interests.
• Use reasonable care and exercise independent professional judgment when conducting investment analysis, making investment recommendations, taking investment actions, and engaging in other professional activities.
• Practice and encourage others to practice in a professional and ethical manner that will reflect credit on themselves and the profession.
• Promote the integrity of, and uphold the rules governing, capital markets.
• Maintain and improve their professional competence and strive to maintain and improve the competence of other investment professionals.

Our investment staff is proud to be held to these high standards for our clients and our profession. To further underscore our commitment to the profession, Bill Wendling, CFA, serves as part of the local leadership of the CFA Society of Indianapolis. For additional information regarding the CFA designation, you may visit www.cfainstitute.org.  

Certified Investment Management Analyst^® (CIMA^®)

The Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) certification is a leading credential for advisors who deliver advanced investment consulting. Unlike general financial planning credentials, CIMA professionals specialize specifically in investment management, applying a repeatable, research-driven framework to analyze strategies and managers, evaluate risk, and construct diversified portfolios.

In addition to demonstrating a high level of professional skill, CIMA professionals are held to strict ethical standards. This is critical as the strength of our profession is based on trust. Professionals at Bedel Financial who hold the CIMA designation are held to the following Code of Ethics as established by the Investments & Wealth Institute (IWI):

• Place the interests of clients above their own personal interests and act in accordance with fiduciary principles.
• Use reasonable care and exercise independent professional judgment when conducting investment analysis, making recommendations, and taking investment actions.
• Practice and encourage others to practice in a professional and ethical manner that will reflect credit on themselves and the profession.
• Maintain and improve their professional competence and strive to maintain and improve the competence of other investment professionals.
• Adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards governing their practice.
• Comply with the Institute's Code of Professional Responsibility and complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years, including dedicated hours in ethics and regulatory compliance.

Our CIMA professionals are proud to be held to these high standards for our clients and our profession. They apply these rigorous standards and analytical frameworks to every client engagement, helping to build resilient portfolios designed to meet long-term wealth management goals. For additional information regarding the CIMA certification, you may visit www.investmentsandwealth.org.

Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst^® (CAIA^®)

The Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) charter is the global benchmark for specialized expertise in alternative investments. This designation equips professionals with tools to evaluate, implement, and monitor alternative strategies within diversified portfolios—and sets the standard for knowledge in asset classes like private equity, private credit, structured products, real assets, hedge funds, and digital assets.

In addition to demonstrating a high level of professional skill, CAIA charterholders are held to strict ethical standards. This is critical as the strength of our profession is based on trust. Professionals at Bedel Financial who hold the CAIA designation are held to the following Code of Ethics as established by the CAIA Association:

• Act with integrity, competence, diligence, respect, and in an ethical manner with the public, clients, prospective clients, employers, employees, colleagues in the investment profession, and other participants in the global capital markets.
• Place the integrity of the investment profession and the interests of clients above their own personal interests.
• Use reasonable care and exercise independent professional judgment when conducting investment analysis, making investment recommendations, taking investment actions, and engaging in other professional activities.
• Practice and encourage others to practice in a professional and ethical manner that will reflect credit on themselves and the profession.
• Promote the integrity of, and uphold the rules governing, capital markets.
• Maintain and improve their professional competence and strive to maintain and improve the competence of other investment professionals.
• Maintain annual membership in good standing and adhere to the CAIA Association Code of Ethics and Member Agreement.

Our CAIA charterholders are proud to be held to these high standards for our clients and our profession. They bring specialized insight into sourcing opportunities, conducting due diligence on, and integrating non-traditional asset classes into portfolios—broadening the available opportunity set for clients while enhancing diversification and risk management beyond traditional stocks and bonds. For additional information regarding the CAIA charter, you may visit www.caia.org.

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