Ethics Flashcards
Describe the Six Components of the Code of Ethics
i. Act in an ethical manner
ii. Integrity is paramount and clients always come first
iii. Use reasonable care; be independent
iv. Be a credit to the investment profession
v. Uphold capital market rules and regulations
vi. Be competent
The 7 Standard of Professional Conduct
- Professionalism
- Integrity of Capital Markets
- Duties to Clients
- Duties to employers
- Investment Analysis, Recommendations
- Conflicts of interests
- Responsibility as a CFA member
Conduct Program
Inquiry can be prompted by:
- Self disclosure
- Written complains
- Evidence of misconduct
- Report by a CFA exam proctor
Discipline
- Cautionary letter
- Sanctions; public sanction of suspension of CFA program
Knowledge of the Law
Requirements
Comply with more strict law
Knowledge of the Law
Guidance
- First, notify supervisor or compliance
- May confront wrongdoer directly
- Dissociate if needed
- No requirement to report to government
Knowledge of the Law
Recommended Procedures
- Seek compliance/legal advice
- Distribute laws a regs internally
Independence and Objectivity
Guidance
- Gifts from clients ok, must disclose
- No gifts from vendors (modest gifts OK)
- For issuer-paid research, flat fee is preferred; must disclose
- Users must be aware of credit ratings conflict
Independence and Objectivity
Recommended Prodecures
- Research is unbiased
- Restricted list
- Recommend but do not require travel expenses paid by employer
Misrepresentation
Guidance
- Do not guarantee a return
- No plagiarism
Misrepresentation
Recommended Procedures
- Must maintain record used for research
- Except for recognized places (e.g. bloomberg)
Midconduct
Recommended Procedures
- Adopt a code of ethics
- Provide a list of potential violations and punishment
Integrity of Capital Markets
Guidance
- cannot act or cause someone else to act
- If an analyst knows information but the public doesn’t, still can’t act
Integrity of Capital Markets
Recommendations
- “Firewall” between departments
- Review employee trades
Loyalty, Prudence, and Care
Guidance
- “Client” may be investing public
- Make decisions based on entire portfolio
- Vote proxies and disclose voting policies to clients
- “Soft Dollars” must benefit client
Fair Dealing
Guidance
- Fair does not mean equal
- Can have different level of service (must disclose)
- All clients must have fair chance to act
- Disclose written allocation procedures