Boston Institute of Finance (BIF), a Colibri Group organization, announced its acquisition of the Certified Retirement Counselor® (CRC®) designation from the International Foundation for Retirement Education on February 25, 2026. The CRC® designation is a nationally recognized, independently accredited credential that equips financial professionals with deep, practical expertise in retirement planning.

Following its own acquisition by Colibri Group in January 2025, BIF has continued to expand its advanced designation portfolio across financial planning and wealth management. Widely respected for helping thousands of candidates earn the CFP® designation through its CFP® Education programs and The BIF Review, a CFP® exam preparation program, BIF brings deep experience, operational scale, and a strong commitment to learner outcomes to the CRC® community.

BIF is committed to advancing the CRC® designation and elevating the standards of retirement planning.

“CRC® is a designation with real purpose in the financial and retirement planning profession,” said Tim Dineen, Vice President at BIF. “It helps professionals develop meaningful retirement planning expertise at an important point in their careers and supports long‑term growth as they deepen and expand their practice. We’re excited to invest in the program and in the professionals it serves.”

Since 2009, the CRC® designation has maintained independent accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Current credential holders and candidates will experience no disruption to their standing, program requirements, or exam testing windows.

“For the CRC® community, this transition is about continuity and long‑term opportunity,” said Kevin Seibert, Managing Director of the CRC® Program at BIF. “I’ve had the privilege of leading the CRC® designation and its community for more than twenty years, and joining BIF allows us to continue that work with greater scale and support. We’re committed to a seamless transition while thoughtfully expanding the reach and impact of the designation.”

With the CRC® program now part of BIF, the designation will continue to be supported by the same dedicated team professionals know and trust, while benefiting from BIF’s long‑term investment and institutional strength.

About Colibri Group

Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, Colibri Group is building the future of professional education across a variety of careers, including real estate, healthcare, financial services, accounting, and other professions. By providing learning solutions for licensing, continuing education, test preparation, and professional development, Colibri offers a holistic learning experience that allows professionals to achieve more, adapt, and thrive through their careers. Having Becker, STC, and BIF within Colibri Group, these organizations can work closely to provide career-spanning opportunities for financial services professionals to help them achieve their goals.

About Boston Institute of Finance

BIF is a professional education organization specializing in comprehensive financial planning education. Renowned for its CFP® Education and Exam Review programs, BIF assists candidates seeking CFP® certification through flexible online learning tailored for busy professionals. By emphasizing practical, real-world applications of financial knowledge, candidates experience courses that are directly relevant to the challenges faced by financial advisors and planners. Visit www.bostonifi.com for more information.

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This acquisition of the CRC® designation underscores Boston Institute of Finance's unwavering dedication to supporting financial professionals at every stage of their careers.