Code
of Ethics for Financial Professionals
The primary
purpose of this Code of Ethics is to provide consumers
with the information they need to determine the integrity
of financial
professionals. In addition, this Code of Ethics differentiates
advisors who provide consumers with written documentation
for their ethical practices
from advisors who do not.
Consumers should view this Code
of Ethics and print a copy so they have a permanent
record of the content. It is Paladin Registry’s
opinion that consumers should have a written record
of all important information that they rely on when
they select advisors to help them achieve their
financial goals.
Code of Ethics
- As a member of the Paladin Registry
I know consumers need objective information when
they select financial advisors. I also know the
critical importance of ethics in my relationships
with clients and the critical role I play in the
achievement of their financial goals. By providing
a copy of the Paladin Registry’s Code of
Ethics, I agree to adhere to the following ethical
principles:
- I acknowledge I am a Registered Investment Advisor
or Investment Advisor Representative with a current
registration that permits me to
provide financial advice for fees.
- I acknowledge I am a fiduciary when I provide
financial advice and services.
- I will serve my clients with integrity, competence,
independence, objectivity, and professionalism.
- I will not misrepresent or omit any information,
when marketing my services, which would cause consumers
to select me for the wrong
reasons.
- I will provide full written disclosure for my
credentials, ethics, business practices, and services
(See my Paladin Registry Profile).
- I will only provide advice and services when
I possess the necessary knowledge to provide expert
advice and quality services.
- I will maintain my levels of knowledge and professionalism
by participating in the continuing education programs
of recognized
associations and other third party service providers.
- I will achieve a thorough understanding of my
clients’ current situations, concerns, needs,
and goals before I provide any financial advice
or services.
- I will provide investment advice that is suitable
in regard to my clients’ return objectives
and tolerances for risk.
- I will establish realistic expectations of the
benefits and results that clients can expect from
my advice and services.
- I will maintain the confidential nature of all
client information and take reasonable steps to
prevent access to the information by
unauthorized people.
- I will provide open-architected financial strategies
that give my clients a broad range of investment
choices not limited to any particular
company or group of products.
- I will avoid potential conflicts of interest
that impact the risk exposure, performance, or
expenses of my clients’ assets.
- I will avoid products that represent potential
conflicts of interest or excessive expenses or
risk to my clients.
- I will be in compliance with all regulatory
and statutory requirements that impact the delivery
of my planning or investment services.
- I will provide reports and communications that
can be easily understood by clients who are not
investment experts.
- I will answer all client requests for information
or resolution of problems in a timely, complete,
and truthful manner.
- I will extend extra time and consideration to
clients who have recently become responsible for
significant asset amounts or are facing
substantial emotional trauma - for example, pending
or recent retirees, widows and widowers, divorcees,
and the terminally ill.
- I will have an agreement in place with clients
in regard to the basis and amount of my compensation
before any advice or services are
rendered.
- I will provide full disclosure for all sources
of compensation that result from my advice and
services.
- I will not accept additional amounts of compensation
or other benefits from third parties for my advice
or services to clients without my
clients’ knowledge in advance.
- I will provide a written service agreement that
is counter-signed by clients and does not contain
provisions that are in conflict with any
applicable regulations or fiduciary standards of
care.
- I will maintain appropriate records that document
my analysis, advice, and client communications.
Certification
I certify the information in this
Code of Ethics accurately reflects the ethical standards
that govern my relationships with clients.
Name of Financial Professional: Heidi Clute
Date of Agreement: October 24, 2007
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