Our Story

1. Foundation Overview

The International Financial Education Foundation (IFEF) is a U.S.-based non-profit investment education foundation whose mission is to empower individuals and families worldwide with equitable, systematic, and high-quality financial education through innovative educational models and cutting-edge technology.

Since 1972, IFEF has been deeply involved in setting industry standards for financial education and has laid the professional foundation for the modern financial planning industry through the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) system. In 1992, the foundation became officially independent and focused its mission on "equal access to financial education," working to close the financial literacy gap between different populations globally.

2. International Strategy and European Expansion

IFEF has decades of profound research and educational experience in the United States. Starting in 2025, the foundation officially turned its strategic focus to the European market, choosing Germany as its core expansion country.

The reasons include:

- Germany's financial and education systems place a high value on transparency and empirical research, aligning strongly with IFEF's philosophy.

- Germany's leadership in EU policymaking, academic research, and industrial innovation will help promote the regional implementation and global reach of Alturyon X.

Through partnerships with local German universities, research institutes, educational technology companies, and policy institutions, IFEF plans to implement Alturyon X in secondary schools, universities, and adult education systems within the next three years and pilot personal finance literacy improvement programs covering the German-speaking region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland).

3. Global Impact and Future Vision

IFEF is more than just a foundation; it's a bridge connecting academia, policymakers, financial institutions, and the public.

Over the next 5 years (2025-2030), IFEF will prioritize the following goals:

- Establish a European Financial Education Research Center (Germany): Serve as a global model for research and practice.

- Promote the globalization of Alturyon X: Planned coverage of major countries in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.

- Influence international policy: Work with EU, OECD, and UN-related institutions to promote the inclusion of financial education in standard frameworks for basic and adult education.

- Cultivate the next generation of financial citizens: Combine technology and educational concepts to empower young people and families with the knowledge and tools needed for financial decision-making.

4. Our Commitment and Independence

IFEF is known for its independent operations, accepting neither government nor corporate funding, nor monetizing through commercial products. The foundation achieves long-term sustainable operations through early-stage asset sales and investment income from its endowment fund. This independence allows us to conduct educational research from a neutral and unbiased perspective, free from external influence.

5. Our Vision

"To empower every individual worldwide to understand and control their financial future."

This is not only IFEF's mission but also the blueprint for global impact we aim to achieve through Alturyon X.

Our History

The Denver-based nonprofit College for Financial Planning was established in 1972 as the nation’s first educational institution providing financial planning coursework to professionals. At that time, the College created the standard-setting CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification, which helped define the concept of financial planning and establish it as a profession.

Over the next two decades, the College expanded, diversified and advanced its interaction with the public. In 1984, the first financial education program launched, and in 1992, IFEF was formed as the parent entity of the College.

In 1997, the Board of Trustees recognized the importance of focusing the foundation’s efforts on financial education—particularly those segments of the population whose needs were not being met by others. IFEF transferred ownership, sold its assets—including all of the College’s professional education programs—and established IFEF as an independent, nonprofit foundation solely dedicated to personal finance education. The proceeds financed our endowment, which funds our work today.

In 2020, under the leadership of Dr. Billy Hensley and the Board, the decision was made to shift our focus from personal finance education to an institute that advances high-impact scholarly research and facilitates collaboration with practitioners, advocates and policymakers.

By 2025, IFEF expanded its reach internationally, establishing a significant presence in Europe, particularly in Germany. This European expansion was spearheaded by Prof. Georg Hartmann, the founder and leader of IFEF, further solidifying the institute’s commitment to advancing financial literacy and research on a global scale.

Our Philosophy

We believe education can help people navigate financial decisions and identify choices that can increase their financial stability, but financial education is only one factor in a complex, interrelated ecosystem that responds to a variety of internal and external forces, often not controlled by individuals. Within this context, we will place a higher focus on enhancing the impact of knowledge and behavior influencers, bolstering thoughtful and actionable research, and convening key thought leaders to support a forward-thinking agenda for the field.

Our Funding

IFEF is independently funded by its own endowment and operates as a noncommercial entity free from financial ties to other organizations. IFEF does not accept funding from government or corporations and does not raise revenue through the sale of products or services. Growth of the endowment occurs through the investment of assets.

IFEF officially receives the US MSB Financial Services License

🔹 Issuing Authority: FinCEN – Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the US Department of the Treasury

🔹 License Type: Money Services Business (MSB – Financial Services Business)

🔹 Registration Number: 31000305990711

🔹 Status: Active

We are delighted to announce that IFEF has officially received its US MSB license – a significant milestone in our global compliance strategy. This license confirms our ability to offer compliant, secure, and trustworthy services in cross-border FinTech and education applications.

The license authorizes us to carry out the following activities, among others: Proof of regulated business activity: As a non-profit organization, IFEF now has official authorization to offer relevant financial services in the US – including payment tools for educational platforms and digital systems for trade support.

Legal certainty for AI-powered financial technologies: Our core system, Alturyon X, covers areas such as cross-border strategy development, data processing, and education-oriented investment analytics. The MSB certification strengthens international partners' trust in our technology and improves market acceptance.

Foundation for global partnerships: Especially in Germany and across Europe, the MSB license provides a crucial legal foundation for in-depth collaboration with banks, universities, and public institutions.

"We are convinced that technology can transform the financial sector – but only with consistent regulation and sound education can this change be sustainable and inclusive. Obtaining the MSB license is not only recognition of our previous work, but the starting point for a new chapter in global financial education."

— The IFEF Professors' Council