TUPELO, Miss., Nov. 18, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hardy Reed, LLC, one of the region's largest(1), independent, SEC registered investment advisory, fiduciary consulting and retirement plan services firms, has once again been recognized by the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX) for Investment Advisor Certification. This is the fourth consecutive year Hardy Reed has received the certification. Hardy Reed's accomplishment is published in the directory of Registered Firms on the CEFEX website www.cefex.org where its certificate can be viewed.
According to the General Manager of the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence, Carlos Panksep, "Through CEFEX's independent assessment, the certification provides assurance to investors, both institutional and individual, that Hardy Reed has demonstrated adherence to the industry's best fiduciary practices. This indicates that Hardy Reed's interests are aligned with those of investors. The certification, which must be earned annually, verifies that an organization is using fiduciary best practices in the investment process they apply to manage their clients' assets."
"Hardy Reed, LLC is once again proud to report that we have been awarded CEFEX Certification," said Scott Reed, CEO of Hardy Reed. "This prestigious certification highlights our commitment to providing clients and prospective clients with independent objective fiduciary guidance. We believe that the Center for Fiduciary Excellence certification of a firm's investment process is rapidly becoming a beacon of light for the investing public.
"Using the protocol developed by the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the framework developed by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, the CEFEX designation is considered by many to be the top certification for financial services firms adhering to fiduciary best practices.
"Hardy Reed, LLC is equally as proud that according to CEFEX, to be one of the first firms globally to receive CEFEX Certification and that at this time, to be the only financial services firm in the State of Mississippi to have earned the CEFEX designation."
Hardy Reed received the CEFEX certification as an Investment Advisor for its services to high net worth individuals, personal trusts, foundations, ERISA Defined Benefit & Defined Contribution plans, 403(b) plans, and non-qualified plans.
The Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX) fiduciary assessment of Hardy Reed was to determine whether Hardy Reed's practices in providing investment advice to clients conform generally to the fiduciary standards of excellence (referred to as the Fiduciary Practices) as defined by the Prudent Practices for Investment Advisors (U.S. Edition) handbook as published by Fiduciary360. CEFEX's assessment process is based on ISO 19011 and is conducted in accordance with ISO 17021. A full copy of the standard can be downloaded from CEFEX at www.cefex.org and a summary can be viewed by clicking on Hardy Reed's on-line CEFEX certificate.
The standard is substantiated by legislation, case law and regulatory opinion letters from the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Uniform Prudent Investor Act (UPIA), Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA) and the Uniform Management of Public Employee Retirement Systems Act (MPERS) in the U.S.
About Hardy Reed
Hardy Reed, LLC is an independent, SEC registered, investment advisor, fiduciary consulting, and retirement plan services firm providing - Objective Fiduciary Guidance. The firm has clients throughout the United States. Its team of professionals provides objective investment advisory guidance, fiduciary consulting, and retirement plan services to high net-worth individuals and their families, institutions such as endowments and foundations, and retirement plans.
For more information on Hardy Reed, please visit www.hardyreed.com.
About CEFEX
CEFEX, Centre for Fiduciary Excellence, LLC is an independent certification organization. CEFEX works closely with industry experts to provide comprehensive assessment programs to improve the fiduciary practices of investment stewards, advisors, record-keepers, administrators, and managers. CEFEX has offices in Toronto, Canada, and Pittsburgh, PA.
For more information on CEFEX, please visit www.cefex.org.
(1) Hardy Reed was listed as one of the largest RIAs in the region by Financial Advisor magazine in its RIA Survey and Ranking 2014. Financial Advisor magazine's 2013 RIA ranking is based on voluntary responses from 529 Registered Investment Advisors who completed an online survey. The ranking was based on regulatory assets under management reported on the firm's Form ADV as of December 31, 2013.