Professional Documents
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MarkMeldrum.com
Ethics Applications 70
Reviews 71
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Institute.
a. explain ethics;
Ethics
Page 1
encompasses a set of moral principles and LOS a
rules of conduct that provide guidance for our behaviors - explain
Page 2
code of ethics/ a codified guide that LOS a
communicates an organization’s/profession’s - explain
Page 5
1/ Professions normalize practitioner behavior - codes and LOS c
standards of behavior - describe
Page 6
7/ Professions monitor professional conduct - monitoring LOS c
& imposition of sanctions on members - describe
Page 7
Expectations: honesty, integrity, altruism, continuous LOS e
improvement, excellence, loyalty, and respect for - describe
colleagues, employers and clients
- nature of product/service
- indirect & intangible
b. identify the six components of the Code of Ethics and the seven Standards of
Professional Conduct;
CFA
Board of Governors volunteers
oversight (CFA charterholders)
LOS a
Conduct inquires may originate from: - describe
1) M/C self-disclosure on the annual
Professional Conduct Statement
disclose: civil litigation
criminal investigations
subject of a written
2) written complaints complaint
received by the Professional Conduct staff
4) exam proctors
LOS a
- inquiry initiated/
- describe
- request for a written explanation from the M/C
- collecting documents/records
LOS a
Sanctions/ · public censure - describe
· suspension of membership and use of the
CFA designation
· revocation of the CFA charter
· candidates suspension/prohibition from
further participation
LOS a
Code & Standards individual investment
- describe
professionals
Six + Seven
LOS b
Code of Ethics/ - state
act with integrity, competence, diligence, and
respect and in an ethical manner with:
the public
clients (current & prospective)
employers
employees
colleagues
Place the integrity of the investment
profession and the interest of clients
above their own personal interests
Last Revised: 06/09/2021
LOS b
Code of Ethics/ - state
LOS b
Code of Ethics/ - state
LOS b, c
Standards of Professional Conduct/ - state
1. Professionalism - explain
LOS b
Standards of Professional Conduct/ - state
3. Duties to Clients
A. Loyalty, Prudence and Care
B. Fair Dealing
C. Suitability
D. Performance Presentation
E. Preservation of Confidentiality
4. Duties to Employers
A. Loyalty
B. Additional Compensation Arrangements
C. Responsibilities of Supervisors
LOS b
Standards of Professional Conduct/
- state
5. Investment Analysis, Recommendations & Actions
A. Diligence and Reasonable Basis
B. Communication with Clients and Prospective
C. Record Retention Clients
6. Conflicts of Interest
A. Disclosure of Conflicts
B. Priority of Transactions
C. Referral Fees
b. identify conduct that conforms to the Code and Standards and conduct that
violates the Code and Standards;
Professionalism
report to employer/compliance
step away
report to CFA
Last Revised: 06/09/2021
Compliance – M/C
1. Stay informed
2. Review procedures (compliance)
3. Maintain current files (laws, statutes, regulations)
Firms/
develop/adopt a code of ethics
provide information on applicable laws
establish procedures for reporting violations
Buy-side clients
port. mgrs. may not want negative
opinions released (or at least a warning)
C. Misrepresentation
Guidance/
any written untrue statement or omission of
fact
any false/misleading statement
(oral, written, electronic)
M/C should not guarantee investment
performance (unless part of the product)
C. Misrepresentation/ Guidance/
Impact on Investment Practice
C. Misrepresentation/ Guidance/
Performance Reporting
Omissions
model input
- any data point
composite development
C. Misrepresentation/ Guidance/
Social Media
C. Misrepresentation/ Guidance/
Plagiarism
- citing quotations as from ‘leading analyst’
without specific reference
- presenting statistical estimates/forecasts
prepared by others with citation but without
statements of limitations that may have been
used
- using charts/graphs without
stating source
- copying proprietary computerized
spreadsheets/algorithms without cooperation or
authorization of creators
C. Misrepresentation/ Guidance/
Plagiarism
- ok to distribute 3rd party reports, even
to precis those reports
- extends to oral communication, use of
audio/video media, electronic media
C. Misrepresentation/
Recommended Procedures for Compliance
Factual presentations
- firms can provide guidance for
written/oral communication
- designating who can speak on behalf
of the firm
Qualification Summary – provided as part of
the presentation
Verify outside information
Maintain webpages – monitor materials
posted
C. Misrepresentation/
Recommended Procedures for Compliance
Plagiarism Policy
maintain copies of source material
(every reference)
attribute quotations
(projections, tables, statistics)
attribute summaries
(paraphrases or summaries)
Last Revised: 06/09/2021
D. Misconduct
M/C must not engage in any professional
conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, or deceit or
commit any act that reflects adversely on their
professional reputation, integrity, or competence
D. Misconduct
Guidance – even the absence of appropriate
conduct or the lack of sufficient effort
(relying on someone else)
information barrier
- interdepartmental communication
- review of employee trading
(watch, restricted, rumor lists)
Appropriate interdepartmental communication
- formalized
Physical separation of departments
- and files
Last Revised: 06/09/2021
B. Market Manipulation
M/C must not engage in practices that
distort prices or artificially inflate trading
volume with the intent to mislead market
participants
B. Market Manipulation
Information-based manipulation
e.g./ spreading false rumors to induce
trading by others (pump and dump)
Transaction-based manipulation
actions that affect the pricing of
a security
wash
e.g./ giving the impression of activity
trades
securing a dominant/controlling position
in a financial asset to exploit and manipulate
the price of a related derivative cornering
Last Revised: 06/09/2021
B. Market Manipulation
standard 2B excludes legitimate trading
strategies
The key is intent
Duties to Clients
B. Fair Dealing
M/C must deal fairly and objectively with
all clients when providing investment analysis,
making investment recommendations, taking
investment action, or engaging in other
professional activities
B. Fair Dealing
Investment Recommendations
B. Fair Dealing
Investment Recommendations
changes in recommendations more critical than
initial ones
communicated to all current clients, especially
those who have acted on the earlier advice
clients who place contrary orders should be advised
before the order is accepted
Investment Action
- treat all clients fairly in light of their investment
objectives
i.e./ allocation of new/secondary issues
B. Fair Dealing
Investment Action
M/C should forgo personal allotments if
issues are oversubscribed
- if a family member is a similarly treated
client, that is ok!
disclose allocation procedures
M/C must never use allocated securities as
rewards or to gain benefit
B. Fair Dealing
Recommended Procedures for Compliance
- keep knowledge of impending recommendations to as few
people as possible
- shorten time between decision to issue and actual issue
- written guidelines for pre-dissemination behavior
- simultaneous disclosure – internally & to clients
- maintain a list of clients & their holdings
- develop/document trade allocation procedures that ensure:
priority of execution
- fairness to advisory clients
allocation of price
- timeliness/efficiency in
order execution
B. Fair Dealing
Recommended Procedures for Compliance
Allocations/ all orders time stamped
orders processed FIFO basis
- bundling when efficient
process to determine execution prices
and partial fills (for grouped trades)
group orders all get same execution price
pro-rata distribution on partial fills
allocation by client rather than portfolio
manager
B. Fair Dealing
Recommended Procedures for Compliance
C. Suitability
- when M/C are in an advisory relationship
with a client, they must
investment experience
a) make reasonable inquiry risk/return objectives IPS
financial constraints
prior to investment recommendation
taking investment action
& reassess and update regularly
client’s financial situations
b) determine suitability
client’s written objectives
c) in the context of the whole portfolio
C. Suitability
- suitability does not mean no losses
C. Suitability
- when managing a portfolio to a specific
mandate, strategy or style, must act in accordance
with that mandate
C. Suitability
Recommended Procedures for Compliance
- Investment Policy Statement
- Regular updates/reviews
- impact on diversification
D. Performance Presentation
- when communicating investment performance
information, M/C must make reasonable efforts to
ensure that it is fair, accurate, and complete
D. Performance Presentation
Recommended Procedures for Compliance
without GIPS/
include all accounts
include terminated accounts
gross or net of fees, taxes, inflation
maintain data and records used to
calculate performance
E. Preservation of Confidentiality
M/C must keep information about current,
former, and prospective clients confidential unless:
1) information concerns illegal activities
on the part of the client
2) disclosure is required by law
3) client or prospective client permits it
E. Preservation of Confidentiality
many firms will have policies about
storing client info. on personal laptops or portable
drives
this standard does not prevent the M/C
from cooperating with CFA-PCP if requested to
supply client account info.
Duties to Employers
A. Loyalty
in matters related to their employment, M/C
must act for the benefit of their employer and
not 1) deprive employer of their skills and
abilities
2) divulge confidential information
3) cause harm to their employer
e.g. – injure the firm, deprive it of
profit, deprive it of M/C skills/
abilities
client
interest
> employer
interest
> M/C interest
(aside from personal/family
obligations)
Last Revised: 06/09/2021
A. Loyalty
Employer Responsibilities
Independent Practice
M/C must abstain from independent
competitive activity that could conflict with the
interests of their employer
- does not preclude M/C from doing so, but
does require disclosure of intent to employer
and their ok!
A. Loyalty
Leaving an Employer
must continue to act in employer’s best
interest until resignation takes effect
A. Loyalty
Leaving an Employer
A. Loyalty
Whistle blowing – violating 4A is permitted
when doing so protects clients or the integrity of
the markets
Nature of Employment
M/C may be independent contractor
duties will be governed by the
agreement between M/C & company, not the
standard
Recommended Procedures for Guidance
- competition policy (non compete)
- termination policy
- incident reporting procedures (whistle blowing)
- employee classification – how policies apply
to each class
Last Revised: 06/09/2021
C. Responsibilities of Supervisors
M/C must make reasonable efforts to
detect and prevent violations of applicable laws,
rules, regulations and the C/S by anyone subject
to their supervision or authority
- whether or not they are M/C
- delegating supervisory duties is no relief from 4C
Detection Procedures
- reasonable efforts – establishing/implementing
written compliance procedures
- periodic reviews
if a violation is not detected despite these
efforts, would not be a violation of 4C.
Last Revised: 06/09/2021
C. Responsibilities of Supervisors
- however, if M/C knows that procedures
are not being followed, merely having them would
not be enough
Compliance Procedures
M/C must understand what makes an
adequate compliance system
those designed to M/C must make reasonable
meet industry standards efforts to close any gaps
and regulatory compliance from current to ‘adequate’
along with the C/S - then make reasonable effort
to ensure they are monitored
and enforced
C. Responsibilities of Supervisors
Compliance Procedures
- once a violation arises, M/C must
promptly initiate an investigation to assess extent
(employee placed on restricted access pending the outcome)
Inadequate Procedures
- inform senior mgmt. & recommend corrective
action
- if M/C feels they cannot discharge
supervisory duties due to inadequate procedures,
they must decline the responsibility
Last Revised: 06/09/2021
C. Responsibilities of Supervisors
Enforcement of Non-Investment Related Policies
- enforced equally
e.g./ attendance, acceptable workplace actions
C. Responsibilities of Supervisors
Recommended Procedures for Compliance
Adequate compliance procedures/
- identify situations in which violations are likely to
occur and develop compliance procedures that are:
clearly written and accessible the Code of
easy to understand Ethics
designate a compliance officer (authority + resources)
clear hierarchy of supervision (who’s watching who)
outline scope of procedures along with procedures
to monitor/test those procedures
procedures for reporting violations
Last Revised: 06/09/2021
C. Responsibilities of Supervisors
Recommended Procedures for Compliance
once system is in place, supervisor should:
respond promptly
investigate to determine scope
restrict employee actions pending outcome
1 word Defensible
C. Record Retention
M/C must develop and maintain appropriate
records to support their investment analyses,
recommendations, actions and other investment-related
communications with clients and prospective clients
C. Record Retention
Records are Property of the Firm
Local Requirements
regulators often impose requirements with the required
time frame for retaining records (CFA 7 years)
Conflicts of Interest
A. Disclosure of Conflicts
A. Disclosure of Conflicts
- best practice is to avoid real/perceived
conflicts
- if avoidance is not possible, M/C must ensure
that conflicts are communicated effectively
A. Disclosure of Conflicts
Disclosures of Conflicts to Employers
- typically, the same situations that would
generate conflicts with clients
- the mere appearance of a conflict could
create problems for M/C & their employers
- if a conflict occurs inadvertently, M/C
must report promptly
Disclosures to Clients
M/C must be, and be seen as, objective
- disclose relationship between an issuer and
M/C or employer – directorship, ownership,
broker/dealer market making, etc...
Last Revised: 06/09/2021
A. Disclosure of Conflicts
Disclosures to Clients
- fee arrangements, subadvisory agreements &
other non-standard fee structures
agreements in which the firm benefits
directly from investment recommendations
Cross-Departmental Conflicts
e.g./ marketing/sales
vs. analyst
broker/dealer
A. Disclosure of Conflicts
Conflicts with Stock Ownership
- prohibition is unfair, therefore beneficial
ownership disclosure is required
Conflicts as Director
conflict between duty owed to clients
vs. to shareholders
option compensation vs. objectivity
material nonpublic information
M/C should be isolated from those making
investment decisions
A. Disclosure of Conflicts
Recommended Procedures for Compliance
B. Priority of Transactions
investment transactions for clients and
employers must have priority over investment
transactions in which a M/C is the beneficial owner
B. Priority of Transactions
Personal Trading Secondary to Trading for Clients
- objective is to prevent personal transactions
from adversely affecting the interests of clients
and employers
B. Priority of Transactions
Impact on All Accounts with Beneficial Ownership
M/C can execute trades in accounts for which
they are beneficial owner only after clients and
employers have had adequate opportunity to act on
a recommendation
- family accounts that are client accounts
should be treated like any other account
B. Priority of Transactions
Recommended Procedures for Compliance
Restrictions on Private placements
- same logic as IPOs
Reporting requirements
Disclosure of holdings in which the
employee has a beneficial interest
Last Revised: 06/09/2021
B. Priority of Transactions
Recommended Procedures for Compliance
Reporting requirements
- disclosure should be made upon commencement of job
and at least annually
Provide duplicate confirmations of transactions
- verification of the timing of transactions versus
only knowledge of holdings
- self-policing/monitoring
Preclearance procedures
M/C should examine all planned personal trades
and avoid potential conflicts
Disclose personal investing policies to clients
C. Referral Fees
M/C must disclose to their employer, clients,
and prospective clients, as appropriate, any compensation,
consideration, or benefit received from or paid to
others for the recommendations of products or services
Expressing an Opinion
M/C are free to disagree and express their
disagreement with CFA on policies/procedures
- cannot disclose content-specific information
however
Last Revised: 06/09/2021
a. explain why the GIPS standards were created, what parties the GIPS
standards apply to, and who is served by the standards;
Introduction to GIPS
Page 1
Mission - to promote ethics & integrity and instill trust
LOS a, b
by achieving universal demand for compliance - explain
by asset owners, adoption by asset managers, - describe
and support from regulators
Page 2
GIPS - practitioner-driven set of ethical principles that LOS a, b
establish a standardized, industry-wide approach - explain
for investment firms to follow in calculating and - describe
presenting their historical investment results to prospective clients
Page 3
Who can claim compliance? LOS a, b
- any firm that actually manages assets - explain
- describe
- asset owners may comply if they compete for business
- if not, but report their performance to an oversight body,
can comply with ‘GIPS for Asset Owners’
Page 4
Composites/ an aggregation of one or more portfolios LOS c
managed according to a similar investment - explain
mandate, objective, or strategy
Definition of the Firm: The firm should adopt the broadest, LOS d
- describe
most meaningful definition of the firm.
- should include all geographical offices operating under the
same brand name, regardless of the actual name of the
investment management company
Last Revised: 06/09/2021
Page 5
Definition of discretion: establishes criteria to judge LOS d
which portfolios must be included in a - describe
composite and is based on a firm’s ability to implement
its investment strategies
Ethics Applications
a. evaluate practices, policies, and conduct relative to the CFA Institute Code of
Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct;
b. explain how the practices, policies, and conduct do or do not violate the CFA
Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
Last Revised: 06/09/2021
Last Revised: 06/09/2021
Review - 2
Integrity of Capital Markets/
A. Material Non-Public Information – cannot act, or cause
others to act on it
likely effect on price source
Review - 3
Duties to Clients/ reasonable care
if custody of
A. Loyalty, Prudence & Care prudent judgment assets, heightened
confidentiality level of responsibility
market
[client – employer – M/C]
integrity
beneficiary (suitability)
mandate
investment analysis
recommendations at the same level
action of service
Review - 4
Duties to Clients/
C. Suitability KYC - know your client risk/ret. obj./reg.
IPS constraints
KYM - know your mandate
in the context
of the whole portfolio
fair
cannot guarantee
D. Performance Presentation accurate
performance
complete
E. Preservation of Confidentiality
unless 1/ illegal activity on part of client
2/ required by law
3/ client permits it
Last Revised: 06/09/2021
Review - 5
Duties to Employer
A. Loyalty – act for benefit of employer
- cannot compete with employer (unless you have
permission)
- if leaving to compete: cannot
· take trade secrets or confidential information
ok as long as · solicit clients or take customer lists
names do not · take work that was codified
come from a list & there
is no agreement in place restricting that
Review - 6
Duties to Employer
C. Responsibilities of Supervisors reasonable effort to detect
or prevent violations of - laws
- rules/regulations
by anyone subject to supervision - C&S
(M/C or not)
- delegation is no relief
Review - 7
Investment Analysis, Recommendations, Analysis
C. Record Retention hard copy or electronic (property of firm)
appropriate records to support investment
analysis, recommendations, actions, communication
with clients
can’t take copies w/o consent
Conflicts of Interest
A. Full Disclosure – full disclosure of all matters that could
reasonably be expected to impair indep./obj.
- to clients and employers
(fee arrangements)
Review - 8
Conflicts of Interest
C. Referral Fees M/C must disclose to employers/clients
any compensation, consideration, benefit received from
or paid to others for the recommendation of
products or services
Review - 9
Regular Compensation vs. Additional Compensation
Employer Client potential
conflict of
M/C M/C interest?
- client migration bonus
- reasonably impair I/O? (Y) before the (N) after the
fact fact
Y N - permission in - notification/
disclose no disclosure writing disclosure