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Baylake Bank Code of Ethics January, 2010
PURPOSE AND SCOPE. The Code is intended to sustain the integrity and
truthfulness of the bank by maintaining appropriate professional and ethical
standards. It provides guidance for officers, directors, and employees and
failure to comply with all policies and procedures may result in termination of
employment. Any questions regarding proper code of conduct should be referred to
an immediate manager or Human Resources. It is in the best interest of the bank,
our shareholders, and the public that we conduct our business consistent with
the following Core Values.
INTEGRITY. Baylake expects that its officers, directors, and employees will
demonstrate integrity in all dealings. In making moral choices, the high road is
the only road. We expect absolute honesty in the handling of customer property,
accounts, and information entrusted to the bank.
CARING. Employment at Baylake should reflect both a personal commitment to
your job and to the bank. We expect employees to work towards improving bank
performance on a personal as well as a professional level with respect and
concern for others, whether fellow employees or customers.
FAIRNESS. Bank employees shall maintain a sense of individual respect for
human dignity, openness, and understanding.
RESPONSIBILITY. Baylake demands a dedicated commitment to engender trust,
faith and confidence from others. Included in this is a strict conduct in
accordance with the bank’s core values, adherence to standards of
confidentiality, and avoidance of any conflicts of interest where possible or
transparent disclosure where not.
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
CHARGES AND PRICING. The fees and charges for bank products and services,
including rates on deposits and loans will be determined by the best interest of
Baylake and its customers. Costs are intended to be profitable to the bank as
well as competitive for the customer. It is important when dealing with
customers that no comments or actions by Baylake employees be misinterpreted as
an agreement to cooperate with competitors contrary to the interests of our
customers. Except where a transaction requires the participation of another
financial institution, the bank’s pricing process shall absolutely exclude any
agreements or understandings with any other financial institutions in following
a common course of action as to rates of interest, the terms on which products
and services are offered, or the prices and fees charged to customers.
COMPETITION. The purpose of competition in general is the positive delivery of a
little "extra something" at Baylake that is reflected in the attitude of its
employees as well as the quality of its products and services. It should be
uppermost in our minds that the bank’s reputation and prestige depend
substantially on our conduct. Concerning the matter of competition between our
company and any other financial institution, employees must always be positive.
Quality service and personal attention to customers are much more effective than
the criticism of a competitor. Such criticism is not in keeping with the
character of Baylake.
UNDESIRABLE BUSINESS. Bank employees at every level shall avoid any appearance
of discrimination in the consideration and acceptance of business. However, it
should be understood that customer relationships may not be in the best interest
of the bank where such business involves persons with values or practices
contrary to the bank and this Code. Such relationships leave open the risk of
loss or embarrassment for the bank and should be brought to the attention of the
bank for careful consideration.
ILLEGAL ACTIVITY. The bank, including its officers, directors, and employees,
shall abide by all federal, state, and local laws, regulations and rules
applicable to the bank and the conduct of its business activities. All bank
employees are expected to report the existence or suspicion of any violation of
any law, regulation, or rule. Any employee discovered to be engaged, directly or
indirectly, in any illegal conduct or activity or who knowingly fail to report
the existence of such conduct or activity will be subject to immediate
disciplinary action and possible termination of employment. Examples of illegal
activity include, but are not limited to: embezzlement, unauthorized sale of
information, frauds such as forgery, counterfeiting and check kiting, and
unauthorized use of funds, abuse of expense, asset, and liability accounts, as
well as any intentional filing or recording of false information that materially
relates to any banking activity or affects the reliability or accuracy of any
bank reporting obligation.
CONFIDENTIALITY. The confidential nature of customer records and bank
information in general is a basic rule. It is important we are aware of the
importance of protecting that information from improper or unlawful disclosure.
Customer information is intended solely for the benefit of the actual customers
and the bank and should not be released to any third party without express
consent or legal process. Bank information, relating to its operations,
performance, value, and other areas of internal activity is solely for the
benefit of the bank and its shareholders, to be used for proper banking purposes
and not, at any time, for the personal benefit of any individual or
organization. On an individual customer level, the bank is subject to stringent
requirements for the protection of customer information and violations of these
regulations can result in regulatory sanction or civil actions for damages. At
the company level, bank employees must be cautious in discussing the corporate
affairs of Baylake with outsiders, due to the potential harm to the Bank and its
shareholders. In addition, with regard to the trading of bank stock,
confidential information could be considered as "insider information" under
Federal and State Security laws. Disclosure or use of such information for
personal gain or to avoid of personal loss could result in substantial civil and
criminal penalties to those who disclose or use this information.
PERSONAL MATTERS
MORALITY AND REPUTATION. Loyalty, fidelity, and good morals are qualities
expected of those who represent Baylake. It is imperative that individuals
conduct themselves so as to reflect credit on this institution and its
employees. Baylake employees must remain above reproach.
INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE. Policies and procedures are developed within Baylake to
ensure consistency in ongoing operations throughout the Bank and they should be
followed even if the individual is not in complete agreement with them. Policies
and procedures are reviewed and modified as often as necessary to keep pace with
changing conditions and Baylake encourages its employees to suggest changes
through recommendations and discussions with managers.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST/OUTSIDE INTERESTS. Baylake employees should avoid
situations which could result in a conflict of interest. Personal interests
which affect the proper exercise of judgment should be avoided. If a potential
conflict arises, the individual in question should disqualify him or herself and
permit others to step in. If that is not possible, then he or she should make a
complete and transparent disclosure of the circumstance. Membership on outside
boards also involves possibilities of conflicts of interest. Employees are
encouraged to participate in civic, charitable, or religious organizations, but
situations that might create a conflict should be cleared with Human Resources.
GIFTS AND ENTERTAINMENT. No officer, employee, director or member of his or her
immediate family should give or accept cash, gifts, special accommodations, or
other favors from anyone doing business with the bank. Employees may not accept
personal fees, commissions or payment for any transaction or business involving
Baylake. However, entertainment or hospitality of a reasonable value or gifts of
nominal value are excluded from this restriction. Whenever possible, Baylake
should pay the employee's expenses. The acceptance of gifts of more than a
nominal value could be considered as an attempt at bribery and could subject
both the giver and the recipient to felony charges as well as the penalties
prescribed under the Bank Bribery Act, 18 USC 215. Any question or doubt as to
the appropriateness of their receipt should be referred to and resolved by the
Human Resources Department.
OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES. Employees are encouraged to participate in relevant
community activities and local government. However, as an institution, Baylake
cannot and should not engage in politics. Community and political activities by
Baylake employees are permitted, provided that participation does not interfere
with work performance and the employee’s involvement is accomplished in a manner
that clearly indicates that the employee does not speak or represent the
interests of Baylake.
TRADING IN BAYLAKE STOCK. Baylake employees are encouraged to participate and
maintain an ownership in Baylake Corp. stock. However, all employees are
cautioned that the Securities and Exchange Commission has stringent rules and
regulations related to trading securities while in the possession of material,
non-public information. There may be occasions when, in the course of your
normal duties, you become aware of certain facts related to the Bank such as
earnings, expansion plans, potential acquisition, or other information which may
reasonably be expected to be important to the investing public. Until such
information is disseminated to the general public through a press release or
other public announcement, employees are prohibited from either purchasing or
selling Baylake stock. Violation of this policy could subject employees to
possible action by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the result of which
may include fines and/or imprisonment. Should any employee desire to acquire or
sell Baylake stock while knowledgeable of information which has not been
released to the public, inquiries for advice should be made to Senior Vice
President - Accounting. Purchases of stock of Baylake Corp. may be made on a
regular basis through the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan.
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