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Society of Financial Service Professionals Announces 2002 American Business Ethics Award Recipients

Society of Financial Service Professionals Announces 2002 American Business Ethics Award Recipients

Published 01-17-03

Submitted by Society of Financial Service Professionals

BRYN MAWR, PA - The Society of Financial Service Professionals has announced the recipients of its 2002 American Business Ethics Award (ABEA) Program. The awards are presented in three categories: large companies (over 2,500 employees), midsize companies (250 - 2,500 employees), and small companies (under 250 employees).

Pitney Bowes, Stamford, CT, received the award in the large company category. The company has a formal ethics education program, including written guidelines for responsible behavior in various situations for its 33,000 employees worldwide. Training is reinforced through continuing communication and an open door policy all the way to the top. Pitney Bowes' commitment to its employees and customers was severely tested following the events of September 11, 2001, but the company performed extremely well, particularly in supporting clients through the anthrax crisis.

O.C. Tanner Company, Salt Lake City, UT, earned the award in the midsize company category. The company clearly demonstrates that it values corporate responsibility and integrity over financial gain. One of the world's largest purchasers of diamonds, they resolutely decline to purchase lower-priced diamonds from West African mines controlled by rebel factions known for human rights violations, despite the opportunity for greater profits from these "blood diamonds." The standards and ethics of workplace conduct and the conflict resolution process articulated in the employee handbook are further supported by the company's commitment to a safe and healthy work environment.

Reell Precision Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, MN, received the award for small companies. RPM, founded in 1970 on the principles of "doing what is right, doing our best, treating others as we would like to be treated and seeking inspirational wisdom" has evolved with a multicultural employee population that holds a common set of beliefs and values regarding ethics and compliance. Fundamental to this set of beliefs is the expectation that each co-worker is able to make decisions that benefit both the individual and common good. That expectation is communicated in every co-worker's job description.

This year's ABEA program is exclusively sponsored by Lincoln Financial Advisors. "Lincoln's shared values are very much aligned with the spirit of the American Business Ethics Award, which celebrates honesty, trustworthiness and principled behavior in business," said Robert W. Dineen, President/CEO of LFA. "One of the reasons why we agreed to sponsor the ABEA for three years was that we felt it would help us demonstrate to our clients and competitors what our organization stands for, and the caliber of professionals found at Lincoln Financial Advisors."

The American Business Ethics Award was established in 1994 and recognizes companies that exemplify high standards of ethical behavior in their everyday business conduct and in response to specific crises or challenges.

An expert panel drawn from business, academia, public service, media, consulting and ethics communities selected this year's recipients, which were honored at a ceremony held January 16, 2003, in Philadelphia.

"The Society has promoted ethical business practices among its members throughout its history. We established the ABEA program as an extension of this commitment to ethics. We believe the companies honored this year truly represent what's right about American business," said Ann W. Hartmann, MBA, CLU, ChFC, AEP, the Society's past president and one of Lincoln Financial Advisors' top planners. "We hope these companies will share their best practices with businesses throughout America to advance business ethics standards to an even higher level."

Founded in 1928, the Society of Financial Service Professionals is the standard bearer for excellence in professionalism, advanced continuing education and ethical guidance for the nation's top financial advisers. Each of the Society's 25,000 members holds one or more of the following financial service credentials: CLU, ChFC, CFP(TM), CPA, JD (licensed), RHU, REBC, CLF, CEBS(R) and two master's degrees granted by The American College, Bryn Mawr, PA -- MSFS and MSM. Active in more than 200 Chapters nationwide, Society members help individuals, families and businesses to achieve their financial goals. For more information on the ABEA program, visit the Society online at www.financialpro.org and click on "American Business Ethics Awards."

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Society of Financial Service Professionals

Society of Financial Service Professionals

The standard-bearer for excellence in professionalism, advanced continuing education and ethical guidance for the nation's top financial advisors for over 85 years, The Society of FSP™ is a national network of 160 local chapters with over 15,000 credentialed professionals who work in diverse financial disciplines.

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