Idk why the institute calls it a "charter" as it isn't technically. Charter is a written grant which gives powers to a body/individual by the government (that's how it works in most countries, as opposed to UK where they give out "Royal Charters" to institutes).

As far as i know CFA institute doesn't have a act behind it but still calls itself chartered and calls CFAs charter holders for some reason. I just assumed it's a US thing, as in they don't use "chartered" legally as CPA, a govt qualification with signing powers which a chartered professional would have is called "certified" instead. Btw i do have the CFA, but i don't call it a charter.

Charter meaning: "a written grant by the sovereign or legislative power of a country, by which a body such as a city, company, or university is founded or its rights and privileges defined."