Code of Ethics
Bentley Wealth Management Code of Ethics
Updated January 1 , 2018
This Code of Ethics (“Code”) has been adopted by Bentley Wealth Management(“BWM” or the “Firm”). BWM and is designed to comply with Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”).
This Code establishes rules of conduct for all employees of BWM and is designed to, among other things; govern personal securities trading activities in the accounts of employees, their immediate family/household accounts and accounts in which an employee has a beneficial interest. The Code is based upon the principle that BWM and its employees owe a fiduciary duty to BWM clients to conduct their affairs, including their personal securities transactions, in such a manner as to avoid (i) serving their own personal interests ahead of clients, (ii) taking inappropriate advantage of their position with the Firm and (iii) any actual or potential conflicts of interest or any abuse of their position of trust and responsibility.
The Code is designed to ensure that the high ethical standards long maintained by BWM continue to be applied. The purpose of the Code is to preclude activities which may lead to or give the appearance of conflicts of interest, insider trading and other forms of prohibited or unethical business conduct. The excellent name and reputation of our Firm continues to be a direct reflection of the conduct of each employee.
Pursuant to Section 206 of the Advisers Act, both BWM and its employees are prohibited from engaging in fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative conduct. Compliance with this section involves more than acting with honesty and good faith alone. It means that the BWM has an affirmative duty of utmost good faith to act solely in the best interest of its clients.
BWM and its employees are subject to the following specific fiduciary obligations when dealing with clients:
The duty to have a reasonable, independent basis for the investment advice provided;
The duty to obtain best execution for a client’s transactions where the Firm is in a position to direct brokerage transactions for the client;
The duty to ensure that investment advice is suitable to meeting the client’s individual objectives, needs and circumstances; and
A duty to be loyal to clients.
In meeting its fiduciary responsibilities to its clients, BWM expects every employee to demonstrate the highest standards of ethical conduct for continued employment with BWM. Strict compliance with the provisions of the Code shall be considered a basic condition of employment with BWM. BWM’s reputation for fair and honest dealing with its clients has taken considerable time to build. This standing could be seriously damaged as the result of even a single securities transaction being considered questionable in light of the fiduciary duty owed to our clients. Employees should understand that a material breach of the provisions of the Code may constitute grounds for disciplinary action, including termination of employment with BWM.
All questions arising in connection with personal securities trading should be resolved in favor of the client even at the expense of the interests of employees.