Investments

The last few years have been a period of heightened scrutiny and scandal for the financial services industry. Most recently, the SEC issued a report on pension consultants regarding conflicts of interest and the objectivity of advice given to retirement plan sponsors. It's become vital to the success of insurance and financial advisors that they differentiate themselves with their exemplary ethics, that they operate by a higher moral code and that they communicate that higher standard to their clients. Why? Because research proves that ethics builds trust, and trust sells - in the long-term and - in the short-term, as well.
Taken from the SEC report and the information provided by the Dept of Labor, below are Affirmations of Ethical Behavior for Financial and Insurance Industry Representatives.
The Ten Affirmations of Ethical Behavior

Bank Of America Investment 1. If registered with the SEC or a state securities regulator as an investment adviser I will provide my clients with all the disclosures required under those laws (including Part II of Form ADY).

3. Click the name of the stock you sold. A miniregister showing recently completed transactions appears. 4. Click the Work with Investments link, and then click Record a Sell on the submenu. As shown in Figure 2, the Edit Transaction dialog box appears. Because you selected the stock you are selling in Step 3, the correct Inv. Account, Investment Name, and Activity options are already selected. However, if you want, you can bypass Steps 2 and 3 by clicking the Work with Investments link and choosing Record a Sell on the submenu. You see the Edit Transaction dialog box straightaway, but you have to choose an Inv. Account and Investment Name in the dialog box. Selling a stock.

Investment Opportunity 2. I will describe any relationship I have with money managers that I recommend, consider for recommendation, or otherwise mention to the plan.

. Most investors require that their investment be liquid. That is, they can easily buy and sell within a short period of time. Unit trusts provide this benefit, being bought and sold easily. in (i.e. sold) does not necessarily mean a good investment as poor liquidity constitutes an additional risk factor for the investor. Professional Fund Management.

Banc Of America Investment 3. I will describe any payments I receive from money managers I recommend, consider for recommendation, or otherwise mention to the plan for consideration.

In April, the Taubman family sells a majority interest in the company to the investment firm, Freeman Spogli & Co.

Banking Investment 4. I have prepared policies and procedures to address conflicts of interest or to prevent conflicting payments or relationships from being a factor when providing advice to my clients.

On offer to the black public are a funded offer where Sasol shares are issued with a minimum investment period of three years before they can be sold to another black person; and also a cash offer of unlisted Sasol shares, with a minimum investment period of two years before selling to a black person.

Investment Solution Strategic 5. I will monitor and reconcile the amount of commissions paid when using brokerage commissions to pay consulting fees and alert plan sponsors when consulting fees have been paid in full.

Remember, a good financial planner should help you get a clear picture of your financial situation and lay the foundation for future investment decisions. Beware of planners who offer few or no alternatives in your investment plan, which may indicate the planner's intent to steer you into a fraudulent scheme or sell a specific product for the commission. Similarly, pressure sales tactics or promise unusually high rates of return on investments. Be on guard for possible Ponzi schemes that can masquerade as tax shelters, precious metals, commodities, tech stocks, and other investment vehicles.

Investment Banking Services 6. I have established procedural steps to ensure that the plan receives the best execution for its securities trades when the consulting fees are paid with the plan's brokerage commissions.

Bank Investment 7. I will describe any arrangements with broker-dealers under which I will benefit if money managers place trades for their clients with such broker-dealers.

Alternative Investment 8. If hired, I will acknowledge in writing whether or not I have a fiduciary obligation as an investment adviser to the plan while providing consulting services.

Online Investment Services 9. I will acknowledge whether or not I consider myself a fiduciary under ERISA with respect to the recommendations I provide the plan?

Accompany Essential Investment 10. I will describe the percentage of my plan clients that utilize money managers, investment funds, brokerage services or other service providers from whom I receive fees?

Investment Company Post these affirmations on your website and include them in your marketing materials. If you complete the affirmations for prospective clients, you will have distanced yourself from the scandal ridden and differentiated yourself in an industry where the value added to products and services is quickly commoditized

Investment Management Solution

Investment Management Services Lawrence Groves is the Director of Small Business Retirement Administrative Services for the Retirement Group. A nationally recognized author and retirement plan expert with over 25 years of in plan design, administration, and compliance experience. Lawrence works with small business retirement plans through the http://www.solo-k.com, the http://www.womensolok.com, You can reach him at Lawrence@solo-k.com or (727) 277-4137

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