Code of Conduct

Professionals within financial services owe important duties to their clients, the market, the profession and society. Where these duties are set out in law or regulation the professional should comply with the requirements in both letter and spirit.

Members of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) are also required to meet the standards set out within the principles of the CISI’s Code of Conduct, which impose an obligation on members to act at all times not only in compliance with the rules, but also to support the underlying values of the Institute.

Each Principle specifies the duties owed by members to one or more stakeholders who may be impacted by their actions.

There may be situations where professionals are faced with making a decision where the correct course of action is not immediately obvious. In addition to referring to the Code, consideration of the following simple checklist will help to decide the best course of action; is the course of action you are considering honest, open, transparent, and fair?

Clear

Have I told no lies or ‘half-truths’ to any party involved in reaching my decision?

Impartial

Is everyone affected by my action or decision aware of the consequences?

Straightforward

Have I made sure that my action or decision will not result in any party being unknowingly disadvantaged or unduly advantaged?

Informed

Have I considered the interests of my potential stakeholders and not been misleading when making my decision?

CISI Code of Conduct - Principles

Principle - Personal Accountability

Stakeholder(s): Self, Clients, Regulators, Colleagues, Market Participants, Firm, Profession, Society

To strive to uphold the highest levels of...

Principle - Client Focus

Stakeholder(s): Clients

To put the interests of clients and customers first...

Principle - Conflict of Interest

Stakeholder(s): Clients, Market Participants, Regulators

Being alert to and actively manage fairly...

Principle - Respect for Market Participants

Stakeholder(s): Clients, Market Participants

To treat all counterparties and business partners with respect...

Principle - Professional Development

Stakeholder(s): Profession, Clients, Colleagues

To strive continually for professional excellence...

Principle - Aware of Capabilities

Stakeholder(s): Clients, Profession, Market Participants

To decline to act on any matter about which...

Principle - Respect Others and the Environment

Stakeholder(s): Society, Colleagues, Clients, Regulators, Market Participants, Profession, Professional Body

To treat everyone fairly and with respect...

Principle - Speak Up & Listen Up

Stakeholder(s): Society, Colleagues

To be active in speaking up and...

Download our Code of Conduct

Guidance on Digital Ethics

This guidance is to be used by members as a supplementary reference alongside the CISI Code of Conduct.
It specifically focuses on the ethical principles for consideration within digitalisation and changing technologies.
Technologies offer significant opportunities to make our lives easier, safer, more comfortable, efficient and fun. They also present a range of risks that may impact people’s privacy and their trust in these technologies, if they are not addressed as the technology develops. This guidance is subject to continuous improvement and will be revised as necessary to incorporate new developments.

Download the Guidance document here