eTrade 2012 Annual Report Download - page 221

Standards of Conduct
RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE LAW
E
mployees are responsible for reviewing, understanding and adhering to all laws, regulations, industry standards and E*TRADE
p
olicies and procedures related to their work activities and professional responsibilities.
The activities of E*TRADE and its employees are regulated by governmental entities, such as the SEC, the OCC, Fed, FDIC, the
CFPB and various state regulators and self-regulatory organizations (“SROs”), such as the FINRA. As a result of the recently enacted
financial regulatory reform legislation, E*TRADE will be regulated by a number of other governmental agencies and SROs.
E*TRADE is committed to full compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and industry standards, as well as full
adherence to the provisions of this Code and all of E*TRADE’s other policies and procedures. Accordingly, you must comply with all
applicable laws, rules and regulations, industry standards, the provisions of this Code applicable to you, and all of E*TRADE’s other
policies and procedures applicable to your business unit and relevant to your role with E*TRADE (“Applicable Requirements”).
Failure to comply with Applicable Requirements can cause significant harm to E*TRADE, and it can have severe consequences for
you personally. Specifically, you may be held personally liable for improper or illegal acts committed during your employment or
other professional relationship with E*TRADE. Such liability could subject you to civil or criminal penalties (fines and/or
imprisonment), regulatory sanctions (censure, suspension or industry bar) and disciplinary action by E*TRADE, up to and including
termination of your employment or other professional relationship with E*TRADE.
The following is a general summary of certain laws and other rules that apply to E*TRADE. The summary does not address every
Applicable Requirement, all of which, as previously stated, you are required to review, understand and adhere. Ignorance of
applicable laws, regulations, rules, policies or procedures will not excuse E*TRADE or you from potential penalties or sanctions,
including internal disciplinary action.
Securities Laws
Because E*TRADE is licensed and regulated in a number of jurisdictions, it is subject to numerous securities laws and rules. These
laws and rules address, among other things, licensing requirements, financial reporting and disclosure, and insider trading rules.
E*TRADE is fully committed to compliance with these and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations.
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