At Bank of America, we
are committed to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance
and ethical conduct in all we do.
In its role as our primary governing body, our board of directors
provides oversight of the company's affairs and constantly strives to
improve and build on the company's strong corporate governance practices.
Our management processes, structures and policies help ensure
compliance with laws and regulations and provide clear lines of sight for
decision-making and accountability. These disciplines represent one side
of governance. The other side, corporate culture, is even more important.
It is corporate culture?championed by leadership and sustained by every
associate within the company?that determines corporate ethics.
One way we build and protect our culture is by aggressively promoting
our company's core values to associates at all times, as well as our Code
of Ethics. We also know that actions speak louder than words. And so, we
foster a culture of openness, in which healthy debate is encouraged and
associates are expected to blow the whistle on improper activity. We also
do not hesitate to separate ourselves from individuals who violate our
values or ethical standards, regardless of performance or potential.
We believe results are important. We also believe how we achieve
results is equally important. Our commitment to this principle is the key
to sustaining the public trust and confidence in our company."