Victoria Albanese, a senior from Bryant University in Smithfield, RI took FIRST PLACE in the event during the 2018 IARFC Biltmore Conference held on the estate in Asheville, NC.
Victoria is shown at left presenting her financial plan during the first day of the conference. The scores were extremely close this year as students were judged by an audience of knowledgeable professionals.
The Complete Standings
First Place
Victoria Albanese
fBryant University in Smithfield, RI – Mara Derderian Professor.
Second Place
Jocelyn Li and Presley Fee
University of Illinois in Champaign, IL – Dr. Craig Lemoine Professor
Third Place
Bonnie Dang and Ashley Nobel
California State University, Northridge, CA – Shannon Compton Game Professor.
The students were thrilled to compete in this year’s venue noting the combined beauty and opulence of the Biltmore estate.
“Having been at the competitions before, I think the IARFC has found the perfect mix of location, history and prestige,” related Mara Derderian, RFC®. “It’s an appropriate location for bringing young professionals.”
With professional consultants weighing in as judges, the teams felt the challenge of being critiqued by experienced financial professionals nerve wracking but beneficial.
“If we can get up, stand and give a presentation to a group of people who have been in the industry for so many years, then the actual thing of sitting down with just the client is a lot easier,” concluded Presley Fee – a competitor from University of Illinois.
The IARFC is grateful to its corporate sponsors, Money Concepts International and Money Guide Pro for believing in the value of this event.
Barry L. Dayley, Executive Vice President of Money Concepts – National Financial Plan Competition Sponsor
“I see these kids starting out and I want to promote them however I can,” relates Barry Dayley, MRFC – Executive Vice President of Money Concepts. “They need our backing and we need to make sure they know we support them. We are proud to be associated with the event.”
“It’s me giving back to an industry that has provided many opportunities in my own career,” acknowledges Chairman and CEO H. Stephen Bailey, MRFC. “I encourage our members to back it not only financially but by being part of the judging process whenever possible”.
