Being Ethical Flashcards
What does good ethics lead to?
Good business.
Good customer endorsement
Loyal customers
More profits
What are some of the bad ethics seen in the financial services? 4
Miss-selling scandals - endowments, pensions, PPI.
Confusing customers by the complexity of products and high charges.
The financial crisis of 2008.
Talk of advisors being commision hungry and self-interested.
What changes in the financial industry have been seen over the recent years due to the reaction to bad ethics? 6
Removal of the FSA
Introduction of the RDR regime
Promotion of the FSCS protection for consumers
Guidance from Money Helper formally the Money and Pensions Service (MPAS)
Bribery Act 2010 requires firms to have adequate procedures to prevent bribery.
The consumer duty
What are the ways firms ensure ethical conduct and fair outcomes for consumers? 4
Code of ethics
Leadership
Implementation of ethical practice
Oversight and governace
What is the path to ethical maturity?
A journey from early stage commitment, through maturity and development to innovation.
What is a code of ethics?
A written description of the standards expected by those who subscribe to it.
Proffeisonal bodies usually develop their own, and members will be required to confirm their acceptance and commitment to them.
What can happen if failing to commit to the code of ethics of an organisation?
Withdrawal of membership
What will anyone wanting a statement of professional standing from the CII need to do?
Follow the core duties laid out in their code of ethics.
What are the CII core duties?
Agreeing to follow the code of ethics and relevant laws in full
Acting with the highest standards of ethics.
Treating everyone equally regardless of race, religion, gender etc.
Do firms have to use the CII code of conduct?
No, but most use of adapt from it especially in firms where staff require a statement of professional standing (SPS)
What is a statement of professional standing?
Illustrates that a person is qualified, maintains competence, and I’d fit and proper.
How is a distinction made between compliance and acting ethical.
Everyone in a firm may act in what they regard as ethical, but the extent to which ethical behaviour is tolerated and expected is down to management.
Minimum standards - Some firms may do just enough to get away with it.
Values led business - active implementation of ethics driven process.
The first is compliant, and the second is ethical.
To demonstrate their commitment to ethics, leadership should:
Set the vision
Ensure noses are pointing in the same direction
Examine the critical non-essentials
How are the ways a firm can implement ethical practices?
Policies and procedures
Training and competence
Recruitment
Pay structures
Job descriptions
Communications
Performance management
Breakdown polices and procedures in terms of implementing ethical practices.
Most firms have document polices.
These focus on compliance
Should be reviewed with an eye on ethics.
The size of the firm will often determine the size of the policy library.
Breakdown training and competence in terms of implementing ethical practices
From outset and ongoing. Staff should receive adequate training for their role and should know what is expected of them. Ethics will be one of the outcomes of this.
Breakdown recruitment in terms of implementing ethical practices
Due consideration should be given as to whether potential recruits have the right stuff. People who represent ethical risks may not be the right fit for an ethical company.
Breakdown pay structures in terms of implementing ethical practices
Should reward the right behaviours and not unethical ones.