The Financial Planning Association (FPA) says membership numbers are on the rise after stagnant activity last financial year.

Membership numbers fell 2% in 2008/09, but the association says nearly 750 new members including 160 student members, have signed on so far this financial year.

Retiring FPA CEO Jo-Anne Bloch says the rise in membership is encouraging.

In June last year the FPA had 11,650 members, including 7982 practitioners.