Corporate responsibility in UBS guidelines and policies

The importance UBS attaches to responsible corporate behavior is reflected in the various documents and policies defining the rules and principles the firm applies to the behavior of its employees. These guidelines define the way UBS does business and the firm regularly monitors compliance.

Vision and Values

UBS’s vision and values state that the firm is a member of the global community and should behave as a responsible corporate citizen. The firm and its employees should conduct themselves in a manner that is above reproach, as preserving UBS’s integrity is vital to its most valuable asset – its reputation.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The firm has a code of business conduct and ethics, which sets forth the policies and practices UBS expects all its employees to follow. The code outlines the required standards of fairness, honesty and integrity in a general manner. It is the basis for all UBS policies.

Employment of staff

UBS provides equal employment and advancement opportunities for all its employees, regardless of gender, race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a Vietnam era, disabled, or other covered veteran and any additional categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Whistleblowing protection

A whistleblowing policy allows employees to report any breach of law, regulations or codes of ethics to a senior manager without fear of retaliation.

Conflicts of interest

UBS is committed to ensuring fair treatment of all its stakeholders, while recognizing that conflicts of interest cannot always be avoided. The firm has therefore established guiding principles outlining its approach to properly identifying and managing conflicts of interest. In addition, various other policies address situations in which a conflict of interest might potentially arise, such as personal account dealing, or the providing and receiving of gifts. UBS’s Investment Bank also has specific conflict of interest policies for its research activities.

Anti-money laundering and bribery of public officials

UBS is committed to fighting money laundering, corruption and terrorist finance. To do that, the firm has a number of policies in place, an effective risk management framework and a dedicated money laundering prevention unit. UBS aims to prevent bribery of public officials by requiring the pre-approval of any transfer of value by UBS or any employee to a public official.

Memberships and donations

A policy is in place to govern the handling and uniform treatment of memberships and donations by UBS globally. It specifies that donations are goodwill payments made to organizations whose activities serve (among others) non-profit, charitable, cultural and educational purposes.

Information security

UBS adheres to the highest standards of information security. It meets legal and regulatory requirements related to information security, satisfying the obligations it has to clients, employees and shareholders.

Environmental management

UBS is committed to integrating environmental considerations into all its business activities.

Human rights

The “UBS Statement on Human Rights” sets out the firm’s approach to promote and respect human rights standards within its sphere of influence.