Trademark Usage Guidelines
Last updated: February 22, 2026
Overview
The Institute of Business & Finance ("IBF") owns and maintains the trademarks associated with its professional designation programs. These guidelines govern the proper use of IBF designation marks by certified professionals, employers, media, and third parties.
Proper trademark usage protects the value and credibility of your designation. Please follow these guidelines in all professional communications.
IBF Designation Marks
Registered Trademarks (®):
- CFS® - Certified Fund Specialist®
- CAS® - Certified Annuity Specialist®
- CTS® - Certified Tax Specialist™
Trademarks (™):
- CES™ - Certified Estate and Trust Specialist™
- CIS™ - Certified Income Specialist™
- CSS™ - Certified Social Security and Medicare Specialist™
- CDFS™ - Certified Divorce Financial Specialist™
- CDAS™ - Certified Digital Asset Specialist™
Who May Use IBF Marks
IBF designation marks may only be used by individuals who have successfully completed the applicable IBF certification program and exam, and who maintain active status through annual CE requirements and membership renewal.
If your designation lapses due to non-renewal, you must stop using the mark until your status is restored. Unauthorized use of IBF marks may result in legal action.
Correct Usage: First Reference
On first use in any document, communication, or publication, use the full designation name with the appropriate trademark symbol, followed by the acronym with the same symbol.
Correct:
Jane Smith, Certified Fund Specialist® (CFS®)
John Doe holds the Certified Annuity Specialist® (CAS®) designation from the Institute of Business & Finance.
Correct Usage: Subsequent References
After the first full reference, you may use the acronym alone. The trademark symbol is required on first use only, though including it on subsequent uses is acceptable.
Correct:
As a CFS designee, Jane specializes in fund analysis and portfolio construction.
Business Cards, Email Signatures, and LinkedIn
Correct formats:
Jane Smith, CFS®
Jane Smith, CFS®, CFP®
Jane Smith | Certified Fund Specialist® (CFS®)
Incorrect Usage
Do not alter, abbreviate, or modify IBF designation marks. Examples of incorrect usage:
- C.F.S. (do not add periods between letters)
- cfs or Cfs (always use all capitals for the acronym)
- IBF Certified Fund Specialist (do not prepend "IBF" to the designation name)
- Fund Specialist (do not abbreviate the full designation name)
Visual Identity Rules
When displaying designation marks in visual materials (presentations, marketing collateral, signage), the acronym must always appear in navy (#0C2340). Designation accent colors are structural only (used for borders, dots, and bands) and must never be applied to the mark text itself.
Rule: CFS is always navy. The gold accent (#C9A84C) may appear as a border or decorative element near the mark, but the letters "CFS" are never gold.
Use by Employers and Third Parties
Employers may reference an employee's IBF designation in marketing materials, provided the designation mark is used correctly per these guidelines, the individual currently holds active status, and the reference does not imply IBF endorsement of the employer or its products.
Media, publishers, and educational institutions may reference IBF designations for editorial purposes following the usage guidelines above.
Trademark Attribution
When space permits, include the following attribution statement in publications, websites, and marketing materials that reference IBF designations:
CFS®, CAS®, and CTS® are registered trademarks of the Institute of Business & Finance. CES™, CIS™, CSS™, CDFS™, and CDAS™ are trademarks of the Institute of Business & Finance.
Reporting Misuse
If you become aware of unauthorized or incorrect use of an IBF designation mark, please contact us so we can address it.
Contact Us
Institute of Business & Finance
10531 4S Commons Drive, Suite 166-559
San Diego, CA 92127
Phone: (800) 848-2029
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.icfs.com