January 2, 2006
This Code of Ethics is adopted by Piedmont Street Management Inc, for this
firm’s financial planning, investment advisory and management, and related
businesses and activities. It is intended to comply with SEC requirements and
Advisers Act Rule 204A-1.
This firm adopts and will act in accordance with the Financial Planning
Association Code of Ethics:
- Integrity. This firm will offer and provide professional services
with integrity.
- Objectivity. This firm will be objective in providing professional
services to clients.
- Competence. This firm will provide services to clients competently
and maintain the necessary knowledge and skill to continue to do so in those
areas in which this firm is engaged.
- Fairness. This firm will perform professional services in a manner
that is fair and reasonable to clients, principals, partners, and employers
and shall disclose conflicts of interest in providing such services.
- Confidentiality. This firm will not disclose any confidential
client information without the specific consent of the client unless in
response to proper legal process, to defend against charges of wrongdoing by
this firm or in connection with a civil dispute between this firm and
client.
- Professionalism. This firm’s conduct in all matters shall reflect
credit upon the profession.
- Diligence. This firm will act diligently in proving professional
services. Diligence is the provision of services in a reasonably prompt and
thorough manner. Diligence also includes proper planning for and supervision
of the rendering of professional services.
This firm also adopts and will act in accordance with the following, adapted
from the Investment Counsel Association of America, Best Practices for
Investment Adviser Codes of Ethics:
- General Statement of Principles and Philosophy. This firm will
operate under the Financial Planning Code of Ethics (above). It will keep a
highest fiduciary duty to clients and the obligation of firm personnel to
uphold that fundamental duty. It will at all times place the interest of
clients first. All firm personnel securities transactions will be conducted in
such a manner as to be consistent with the code of ethics and avoid any actual
or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of a person’s position of trust
and responsibility. This firm’s investment management personnel should not
take inappropriate advantage of their position. This firm holds to the
fiduciary principle that information concerning the identity of security
holdings and financial circumstances of clients is confidential. This firm
holds that independence in the investment decision-making process is
paramount.
- Persons Covered by the Code. This code applies to the
owner/proprietor, who is the only Access Person. There will not be any other
employees or persons who provide advice on behalf of the adviser and are
subject to the adviser’s supervision and control.
- Securities Covered by the Code. Covered Securities means any stock,
bond, future, investment contract or any other instrument that is considered a
“security” under the Investment Advisers Act.
- Standards of Business Conduct. This firm recognizes its fiduciary
responsibility to clients, and responsibility to comply with applicable
federal and California securities laws. Firm persons are not permitted, in
connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, of a security
held or to be acquired by a client:
a. To defraud such client in any manner;
b. To mislead such client, including by making a statement that omits material facts;
c. To engage in any act, practice or course of conduct which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon such client;
d. To engage in any manipulative practice with respect to such client; or
e. To engage in any manipulative practice with respect to securities, including price manipulation.
- Conflicts of Interest. As a fiduciary, this firm has an affirmative
duty of care, loyalty, honesty, and good faith to act in the best interests of
its clients. This firm will try to avoid conflicts of interest and will fully
disclose all material facts concerning any conflict that does arise with
respect to any client. The firm will not display inappropriate favoritism of
one client over another client that would constitute a breach of fiduciary
duty. The firm’s Access Person will not use knowledge about pending or
currently considered securities transactions for clients to profit personally,
directly or indirectly, as a result of such transactions, including by
purchasing or selling such securities.
- Insider Trading. The firm prohibits any trading, either personally
or on behalf of others, while in possession of material, nonpublic
information. Firm personnel will not communicate material nonpublic
information to others in violation of law.
- Personal Securities Transactions. The firm is allowed to
participate in initial public offers. Trading by the Access Person will be
restricted to large, publicly-traded companies where such trading is unlikely
to have more than a negligible impact on prices or liquidity.
- Gifts and Entertainment. A conflict of interest occurs when the
personal interest of firm personnel interfere or could potentially interfere
with their responsibilities to the firm and its clients. Firm personnel should
not accept inappropriate gifts, favors, entertainment, special accommodations,
or other things of material value that could influence their decision-making
or make them feel beholden to a person or firm.
- Confidentiality. Information concerning the identity of security
holdings and financial circumstances of clients is confidential, subject to
permitted or required disclosures.
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