Farm Bureau Financial Services Agent Patrick Kessel designated as certified financial planner

Farm Bureau Financial Services is pleased to announce that Alex Kessel has been designated by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board) as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®). This certification recognizes proficiency in the fundamentals of the financial planning process, investments, retirement and employee benefits, and estate planning.

'Only a select number of professionals reach the requirements necessary to obtain the CFP designation,” said Philip West, Salem. 'We're here to help our client/members prepare for their family's future. With the CFP® certification, Alex has further strengthened that promise for client/members interested in advisory services.”

Alex started in the financial services industry in 2001, as a licensed banker (series 7) with Wells Fargo in Mound, MN. He became a Farm Bureau agent in 2003 and returned to Fairfield in 2005.

Alex has a BA (history), from the University of Iowa, his Master's degree from the American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and has earned numerous other certifications through the American College of Financial Services (CLU, ChFC, CASL, LUTCF, FSS) and recognized as an (AEP). He earned his 9th Million Dollar Roundtable in 2019, and has been a Farm Bureau Financial Services Hall of Fame member since 2014. His practice consists of 4 offices in southeast Iowa, and 12 employees. He is married to Christie Kessel, they have 3 children, Xavier 12, Vanessa 9, and Valerie 5.

The CFP® marks identify those individuals who have met the rigorous experience and ethical requirements of the CFP Board, have successfully completed financial planning coursework and have passed the CFP® Certification Examination covering the following areas: the financial planning process, risk management, investments, tax planning and management, retirement and employee benefits, and estate planning. CFP® professionals also agree to meet ongoing continuing education requirements and to uphold CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. To learn more about the certification, visit www.CFP.net.