James H. Barker, Jr. Earns Prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) Designation

Jackson, TN, October, 2003—James H. Barker, Jr., a Managing Director at Haynes Barker Investment Management, LLC in Jackson, TN, has earned the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation, administered by the Association for Investment Management and Research® (AIMR®).

The CFA charter is the only globally recognized credential for investment analysis and management. Recipients of the CFA charter have successfully completed a graduate-level, self-study curriculum and series of three examinations that typically require a combined 800 hours of study.

Pass rates average about 50 percent at each level. Worldwide, the overall pass rate for all three exams this year was 49 percent.

The curriculum and examinations cover ethical and professional standards, accounting and financial statement analysis, economics, portfolio management and analysis and valuation of debt, equity and alternative investments. Candidates also must pledge to adhere to the stringent ethical standards set forth by AIMR and sign an annual statement attesting to their compliance.

Barker has worked in the financial industry for 8 years. A graduate of Washington & LeeUniversity at Lexington, VA, Barker began his financial career at US Bancorp as a Financial Analyst in Denver, CO in 1995. He is currently a Managing Director at Haynes Barker Investment Management, LLC. Haynes Barker Investment Management, LLC is a boutique firm that specializes in portfolio management and analysis, financial planning, & wealth transfer strategies. Securities are offered through Linsco/Private Ledger, Member of NASD/SIPC.

"The CFA designation is a hallmark of integrity and excellence in the global investment community," said Thomas A. Bowman, CFA, president and CEO of AIMR. "Employers and clients know that individuals who have earned the CFA charter have made personal commitments to a comprehensive study program and ethical standards for professional behavior."

"I am thrilled to receive my charter," Barker said. "It represents the successful building of hundreds of hours of study and preparation and a lifelong commitment to professionalism and ethics."

This past June, more than 67,000 candidates for the CFA credential converged on 270 test centers in 83 countries and territories to test their knowledge of professional investment analysis and ethics. At test centers from Argentina to Zimbabwe, portfolio managers, securities analysts and other investment professionals and students took one of the three exams required to achieve the CFA designation. Some 8,816 candidates passed Level 3 this year and expect to earn their CFA charter, bringing the number of CFA charterholders worldwide to more than 59,000.

In addition to the May/June offering, AIMR now offers a second date, December 6 (December 7 for exam sites in Eastern Asia and Oceania), for Level I of its 2003 exam. As of July 31, 2003, more than 27,000 candidates have enrolled for this exam date.

With offices in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA, Hong Kong and London, AIMR's membership includes 127 local professional societies in 46 countries. In addition to the CFA program, AIMR is known for its industry-leading advocacy and standard-setting work, encouraging full and fair disclosure of financial information for investors and anyone involved in investment decision-making. For more information about AIMR, please call +1 (434) 951-5499 or visit