LEWISTON — The Institute of Business & Finance recently awarded Craig Dickson of Investment Executives in Lewiston with the only nationally recognized annuity designation, Certified Annuity Specialist.

The graduate-level designation is conferred on candidates who complete a 135-plus hour educational program focusing on fixed-rate and variable annuities.

CAS certification requires mastery of contract structure, tax ramifications, strategies, income structuring, equity-indexed products and principals of asset allocation. The student must pass three comprehensive exams, complete a written case study, adhere to the IBF Code of Ethics and IBF Standards of Practice and fulfill annual continuing education requirements.

For more information about Investment Executives, call 207-807-2738 or go to: www.theinvestmentexecutives.com.