FPA referral deal with Cbus

The Financial Planning Association (FPA) has entered into an agreement with industry super fund Cbus to pilot a referral service. 

Under the arrangement, not dissimilar to earlier pilots run with dealer groups, planning practices registered as FPA Professional Practices which meet "select professional and geographic location criteria" will receive referrals from "eligible" Cbus members seeking financial planning services. 

The FPA has announced the move on the eve of its National Congress, with FPA chief executive Mark Rantall saying it represents a significant and healthy step in the right direction. 

Cbus chief executive David Atkin said the pilot referral service would allow members to access professional planning services delivered by Certified Financial Planner practioners operating within an FPA Professional Practice. 

"This is an exciting step. And we look forward to rolling out the initial pilot scheme to Cbus members in Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory," he said. 

Atkins said that, pending the outcome of this initial phase, there was strong potential for the program to become a national scheme for all eligible Cbus members.