National Ethics Bureau Offers Consumers Ability to Perform Background Checks on Financial Services Professionals |
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SAN DIEGO, CA, June 19, 2006— The National Ethics Bureau has launched new web-based tools designed to help consumers select an insurance or financial advisor they can trust. Consumers now can order background checks on advisors nationwide, as well as find an advisor in their community who has already passed NEB’s Ethics Check System™.
The Ethics Check System™ is a comprehensive seven-year background check designed especially for financial services professionals. It includes eight separate screens, including criminal and civil background; professional license; department of insurance; NASD and SEC; state securities, commerce, or banking department; and other Federal, State, and private agencies.
“The ability to order advisor background checks is an important consumer benefit,” says Steven R. McCarty, National Ethics Bureau chairman. “It will help people select an advisor they can trust even if the advisor hasn’t yet applied for NEB membership. This takes the worry and hassle out of finding an advisor.”
In addition, NEB has launched a Consumer Resource Center that includes links to regulatory agencies and content that helps consumers stay safe in the financial marketplace. The latest addition to the Center is A Consumers’ Guide to Investment Scam Protection, which educates the public about the top five investment scams and provides ten important scam-prevention tips.
“All of these enhancements will help consumers make financial decisions with confidence,” says McCarty. “They also help our advisor members leverage their exemplary ethics for business success.”
About National Ethics Bureau:
The National Ethics Bureau™ (NEB) is a membership organization of financial professionals who have successfully passed a comprehensive background check and have agreed to maintain NEB membership standards. All members are admitted into NEB’s national registry, which consumers can access free of charge to verify a member’s background.
NEB also advocates for business ethics and consumer protection through its trade-magazine columns, conference presentations, consumer guides, monthly Ethics Edge newsletter, and web site www.ethicscheck.com.
NEB is not a financial marketing organization. It does not sell or endorse any financial products. Nor does it receive financial considerations from its members or other entities who sell such products.
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