Attached files
Exhibit 14
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
OF
BROADPOINT GLEACHER SECURITIES GROUP, INC.
Effective as of March 11, 2010
Introduction
Set forth herein is the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the Code) adopted by Broadpoint
Gleacher Securities Group, Inc. (the Company). This Code embodies the commitment of the Company
to conduct our business in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and the
highest ethical standards. All employees and members of our Board of Directors are expected to
adhere to those principles and procedures set forth in this Code that apply to them. We also expect
the consultants we retain generally to abide by this Code. For purposes of Section 406 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder, Section I of this Code shall be
our Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers (as defined below).
This Code does not supersede, but rather supplements existing Company policies and procedures
already in place as stated in the Employee Policies Manual and other compliance and employee
manuals of the Company. However, it should be noted that existing Company policies and procedures
already in place, even where referenced herein, are not part of this Code.
SECTION I
A. Compliance and Reporting
Employees and Directors should strive to identify and raise potential issues before they lead to
problems, and should ask about the application of this Code whenever in doubt. Any employee or
Director who becomes aware of any existing or potential violation of this Code should promptly
notify (i) in the case of employees supervisors, managers or the Legal Department and (ii) in the
case of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Principal
Accounting Officer (collectively, but not including the Directors, the Senior Financial Officers)
the Companys General Counsel (we refer to such contacts as the Appropriate Ethics Contacts).
The Company will take such disciplinary or preventive action as it deems appropriate to address any
existing or potential violation of this Code brought to its attention.
Employees and Directors are encouraged to talk to Appropriate Ethics Contacts about observed or
suspected illegal, improper or unethical behavior and when in doubt about the best course of action
in a particular situation. It is the policy of the Company not to allow retaliation for reports of
wrongdoing or misconduct by others made in good faith
by employees and Directors. Employees and Directors are expected to cooperate with internal
investigations of wrongdoing or misconduct.
Any questions relating to how these policies should be interpreted or applied should be addressed
to an Appropriate Ethics Contact.
B. Personal Conflicts of Interest
A personal conflict of interest occurs when an individuals private interest improperly
interferes with the interests of the Company. Personal conflicts of interest are prohibited as a
matter of Company policy, unless they have been approved by the Company. In particular, an employee
or Director must never use or attempt to use his or her position at the Company to obtain any
improper personal benefit for himself or herself, for his or her family members, or for any other
person, including loans or guarantees of obligations, from any person or entity.
Service to the Company should never be subordinated to personal gain and advantage. Conflicts of
interest should, to the extent possible, be avoided. Any employee or Director who is aware of a
material transaction or relationship that could reasonably be expected to give rise to a conflict
of interest should discuss the matter promptly with an Appropriate Ethics Contact.
C. Public Disclosure
It is the Companys policy that the information in its public communications, including Securities
and Exchange Commission filings, be full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable. All employees
and Directors who are involved in the Companys disclosure process, including the Senior Financial
Officers, are responsible for acting in furtherance of this policy. In particular, these
individuals are required to maintain familiarity with the disclosure requirements applicable to the
Company and are prohibited from knowingly misrepresenting, omitting, or causing others to
misrepresent or omit, material facts about the Company to others, whether within or outside the
Company, including the Companys independent auditors. In addition, any employee or Director who
has a supervisory role in the Companys disclosure process has an obligation to discharge his or
her responsibilities diligently.
D. Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations
It is the Companys policy to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and to require
each of its Directors and employees to do the same. It is the personal responsibility of each
employee and Director to be knowledgeable about, and to adhere to, the standards and restrictions
imposed by those laws, rules and regulations applicable thereto as a result of such persons
duties, responsibilities and functions at the Company.
To promote compliance with laws, rules and regulations and the policies of the Company, the Company
has established various compliance manuals and procedures specific to the applicable personnel and,
where appropriate, has conducted information and training sessions.
No employee and Director who has access to confidential information is permitted to use or share
that information for stock trading purposes or for any other purpose except the conduct of our
business. All non-public information about the Company should be
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considered confidential information. To use non-public information about the Company or any other
company for personal financial benefit or to tip others who might make an investment decision on
the basis of this information is not only unethical but also illegal. Refer to the Companys
policies related to Insider Trading and Handling Confidential Information in the Employees Policies
Manual for more information regarding the Companys policies and procedures with respect to trading
in the Companys and other securities. If you have any questions, please consult the Legal
Department.
SECTION II
A. Corporate Opportunities
Employees and Directors owe a duty to the Company to advance the Companys legitimate business
interests when the opportunity to do so arises. Employees and Directors are prohibited from taking
for themselves (or directing to a third party) a business opportunity that is discovered through
the use of corporate property, information or position, unless the Company has already been offered
the opportunity and turned it down. More generally, employees and Directors are prohibited from
using corporate property, information or position for personal gain or competing with the Company.
Sometimes the line between personal and firm benefits is difficult to draw, and sometimes both
personal and firm benefits may be derived from certain activities. The only prudent course of
conduct for our employees and directors is to make sure that any use of firm property or services
that is not solely for the benefit of the firm is approved beforehand through the Appropriate
Ethics Contact.
B. Confidentiality
In carrying out the Companys business, employees and Directors often learn confidential or
proprietary information about the Company, its clients or customers, prospective clients or
customers, or other third parties. Employees and Directors must maintain the confidentiality of all
information so entrusted to them, except when disclosure is authorized or legally mandated.
Confidential or proprietary information includes, among other things, any non-public information
concerning the Company, including its businesses, financial performance, results or prospects, and
any non-public information provided by a third party with the expectation that the information will
be kept confidential and used solely for the business purpose for which it was conveyed. Employees
and Directors should refer to the Companys policies on Handling Confidential Information for more
detailed guidance.
C. Fair Dealing
We do not seek competitive advantages through illegal or unethical business practices. Each
employee and Director should endeavor to deal fairly with the Companys clients, service providers,
suppliers, competitors and employees. No employee or Director should take unfair advantage of
anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of
material facts, or any unfair dealing practice.
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The purpose of business entertainment and gifts in a commercial setting is to create good will and
sound working relationships, not to gain unfair advantage with clients or customers. No gift or
entertainment should ever be offered, given, provided or accepted by any employee or Director,
family member of the foregoing or agent unless it:
| is not a cash gift; and | ||
| is consistent with customary business practices; and | ||
| is not excessive in value; and | ||
| cannot be construed as a bribe or payoff; and | ||
| is in compliance with the firms policies on gifts and gratuities and does not violate any applicable laws or rules or regulations. |
Please discuss with your supervisor any gifts or proposed gifts which you are not certain are
appropriate. Please see the Companys policies on Gifts and Gratuities in the Employee Policies
Manual and, when applicable, your departments compliance manual.
D. Equal Employment Opportunity and Harassment
The Companys focus in personnel decisions is on merit and contribution to the Companys success.
Concern for the personal dignity and individual worth of every person is an indispensable element
in the standard of conduct that the Company has set for itself. The Company affords equal
employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to any impermissible criterion or
circumstance. This means equal opportunity in regard to each individuals terms and conditions of
employment and in regard to any other matter that affects in any way the working environment of the
employee. The Company does not tolerate or condone any type of discrimination or harassment.
E. Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets
All employees and Directors should endeavor to protect the Companys property, electronic
communications systems, information resources, facilities and equipment and ensure their efficient
use. Theft, carelessness, and waste have a direct impact on the Companys profitability. Any
suspected incident of fraud or theft should be immediately reported for investigation to an
Appropriate Ethics Contact. Company assets should not be used for non- Company business, although
we recognize that incidental personal use may be permitted so long as it does not adversely affect
the interests of the Company. Personal use of company assets must always be in accordance with
Company policy. You should consult your supervisor for appropriate guidance and permission.
The obligation of employees and Directors to protect the Companys assets includes its proprietary
information. Proprietary information includes intellectual property such as trade secrets, patents,
trademarks and copyrights, as well as business, marketing and service plans, engineering and
manufacturing ideas, designs, databases, records, salary information and any unpublished financial
data and reports. Unauthorized use or
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distribution of this information would violate Company policy. It may also be illegal and result in
civil or criminal penalties.
F. Health and Safety
The Company strives to provide each employee with a safe and healthful work environment. Each
employee has a responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all employees by
following safety and health rules and practices and reporting accidents, injuries and unsafe
equipment, practices or conditions. Violence and threatening behavior are not permitted. Employees
should report to work in condition to perform their duties, free from the influence of illegal
drugs or alcohol. The use of illegal drugs in the workplace will not be tolerated.
G. Record-Keeping
The Company requires honest and accurate recording and reporting of information in order to make
responsible business decisions. Employees and Directors regularly use business expense accounts,
which must be documented and recorded accurately. If you are not sure whether a certain expense is
legitimate, ask your supervisor or the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Refer to the
Companys Business Travel Policy in the Employee Policies Manual for further information regarding
business expenses.
All of the Companys books, records, accounts and financial statements must be maintained in
reasonable detail, must appropriately reflect the Companys transactions and must conform both to
applicable legal requirements and to the Companys system of internal controls and generally
accepted accounting practices and principles. No one should rationalize or even consider
misrepresenting facts or falsifying records.
Business records and communications often become public, and we should avoid exaggeration,
derogatory remarks, guesswork, or inappropriate characterizations of people and companies that can
be misunderstood. This applies equally to e-mail, internal memos, and formal reports. Records
should always be retained or destroyed according to the Companys record retention policies. In
accordance with those policies, in the event of litigation or governmental investigation or the
threat of such litigation or investigation please consult the Legal Department before any action is
taken to destroy or discard records.
H. Payments to Government Personnel
The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prohibits giving anything of value, directly or indirectly,
to officials of foreign governments or foreign political candidates in order to obtain or retain
business. It is strictly prohibited to make illegal payments to government officials of any
country.
In addition, there are a number of federal and state laws and regulations regarding business
gratuities which may be accepted by U.S. or state government personnel. The promise, offer or
delivery to an official or employee of the U.S. government or a state government of a gift, favor
or other gratuity in violation of these rules would not only violate Company policy but could also
be a criminal offense. State and local governments, as well as foreign governments, may have
similar rules. You must consult with the Legal Department prior to making such gifts.
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SECTION III
Waivers of This Code
From time to time, the Company may waive certain provisions of this Code. Any employee or Director
who believes that a waiver may be called for should discuss the matter with an appropriate Ethics
Contact. Waivers for executive officers (including Senior Financial Officers) or Directors of the
Company may be made only by the Board of Directors, and shall be promptly disclosed to
shareholders, along with the reasons for such waiver, as required by the Securities Exchange
Commission and applicable NASDAQ listing requirements.
SECTION IV
Disclosure
This Code is available on the Companys website at www.bpsg.com.
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