AMHERST, MASS, July 8, 2009 - The Financial Services Board of South Africa announced their endorsement of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association designation. 

The endorsement of the CAIA designation by the Financial Services Board of South Africa is further evidence of the growing recognition throughout the global regulatory community for the important contribution the CAIA program is making to the professionalism of the alternative industry. "The process that the CAIA Association underwent to secure the Financial Standards Board's endorsement was a very rigorous one in order to verify the quality and relevance of content covered in our curriculum.  We continue to undertake such efforts globally by working closely with regulators, industry associations and key market participants to ensure that alternative investment professionals who put in the time, money and effort in undertaking the CAIA Program achieve the recognition they deserve" stated Steve Wallace MSI, CAIA, Associate Director of Industry Relations - EMEA at the CAIA Association.

The CAIA designation is the only global professional designation exclusively dedicated to the alternative investment sector. Currently, over 3,100 individuals from 80 countries hold the CAIA designation, including 32 from South Africa .

"We are honored and delighted to have received the endorsement of FSB and welcome their commitment to education and professionalism within the Alternative Investment industry," said Craig Asche, executive director of the CAIA Association. "Regulators such as FSB play a critical role in promoting investor understanding and industry best-practices. We applaud their efforts and those of the many industry Associations who share this common goal with us."

About the Financial Services Board of South Africa  

The Financial Services Board of South Africa is a unique independent institution established by statute to oversee the South African Non-Banking Financial Services Industry in the public interest.  The FSB is committed to promote and maintain a sound financial investment environment in South Africa . www.fsb.co.za