Society of Financial Service Professionals Announces 2003 American Business Ethics Award Recipients

BRYN MAWR, Pa., Nov. 3, 2003 -- The Society of Financial Service Professionals has announced the recipients of its 2003 American Business Ethics Award (ABEA) Program. Established in 1994, the ABEA recognizes companies that exemplify high standards of ethical behavior in their everyday business conduct and in response to specific crises or challenges. 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). This year's recipients are:

Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA. With clearly articulated "Standards of Business Conduct" available in twelve languages, H-P operates on a single set of global standards for its more than 140,000 employees worldwide. The company's ethical culture permeates its behavior in the business setting and extends to its interaction with a larger community through a variety of company-sponsored public service initiatives such as its e-inclusion program that benefits underserved communities in the many countries where H-P has a presence.

Beaman Automotive Group, Nashville, TN. This 400-employee company's mission statement, "to treat our associates, customers and our community with the utmost respect and dignity, and achieve excellence by emphasizing trust, loyalty and ethics," is practiced every day through all levels of the organization. The Beaman family's commitment to nature preservation projects extends to the company's commitment to safety in the workplace and the responsible disposal of hazardous waste. Beaman associates are deeply involved in defining the corporate culture through active Continuous Improvement Teams.

Kuhn & Wittenborn Advertising, Kansas City, MO. In 1978, the founding partners set out to create an agency that nurtures talent and ethics and have carefully recruited associates who share their values. Their creative approach to mentorship, professional development and employee incentives have indeed nurtured both talent and ethics. They are exceptionally sensitive to conflict of interest issues beyond the usual standards in the industry and have been rewarded with exceptional customer and employee loyalty. The company and its 40 employees contribute pro-bono work on behalf of a wide range of community organizations.

An expert panel drawn from business, academia, public service, media, consulting and ethics communities selected this year's recipients, who were honored at a ceremony on October 27, 2003, at the Society's annual conference, Financial Service Forum, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Congratulating the recipients, Society president Alan R. Zeigler, CEBS, CLU, ChFC, REBC observed that, in light of the media coverage of corporate malfeasance in recent years, it is particularly important to celebrate the vast majority of American companies which conduct business honestly and fairly. "We at the Society of Financial Service Professionals believe that good ethics is good business, and are proud to present the 2003 American Business Award to three companies who have raised the bar on translating ethical principles into everyday business practice."

This year's ABEA program is exclusively sponsored by Lincoln Financial Advisors, Philadelphia, PA. "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 Society of Financial Service Professionals, which was founded in 1928, is the standard-bearer of excellence in professionalism, advanced continuing education, and ethical guidance for the top financial advisers in the nation.

Each of the approximately 24,000 members of the Society of Financial Service Professionals holds one or more of the following recognized 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 nearly 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."