Ethics in Investment Banking (PDF)

JOHN N. REYNOLDShas been described in the media as a 'world class investment banker' and 'highly intelligent but aggressive'. He has had a 20 year career in investment banking, spanning equity research, mergers & acquisitions, financial restructuring and principal investment. He has been a top rated equity analyst, has led ground-breaking multi-billion dollar acquisitions, and has successfully originated high-return investment strategies. Prior to becoming an investment banker John studied theology at Cambridge University. From 2006 to 2011 he chaired the Church of England Ethical Investment Advisory Group, which advises the Church's major investment bodies on ethical and governance issues. The combination of a successful career in investment banking and the experience of leading an influential ethical investment body gives him a unique perspective on ethical questions facing investment bankers.

EDMUND NEWELLstudied Economics and Economic History at University College London and at Nuffield College in the University of Oxford, where he was both a Prize Research Fellow and British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow. Now a priest in the Church of England, he is Sub-Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, having previously been Chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral, London, and founding Director of St Paul's Institute. He is a member of the Church of England's Ethical Investment Advisory Group and was the first Chaplain to the Worshipful Company of International Bankers. He writes and speaks on issues to do with faith, ethics and economic life, and is a founder of the Faith and Work Forum, which provides resources for businesspeople to explore workplace issues from a religious perspective. His publications include (with Sabina Alkire) What Can One Person Do? Faith to Heal a Broken World.

'Reynolds and Newell have produced a well-informed assessment of the multiple ethical issues that investment bankers must confront. With an insider's view of the industry as well as expertise in applied ethics, they focus on the critical differences between compliance and ethics. The result is a no-nonsense book full of practical and workable solutions to ethical problems. Ethics in Investment Banking could not be more timely, making it very clear that there is no excuse for the absence of a strong ethical foundation to investment banking.'

- Lord Myners

'Whether banks, including especially investment banks, lost their moral and ethical compass, as well as vast amounts of shareholders' capital, is a fair question to ask in the wake of the financial crisis. What is clear is that sustainable returns in banking can only be achieved if banks act fairly and responsibly to their key stakeholders. This book makes an important contribution to considering this question.'

- Sir Philip Hampton, Chairman, RBS

'This book needed to be written...gives an insight into what it feels like to be immersed in the complicated end of banking. Even the controversial views are informed ones. Read this book and be grateful for those who wrestle with what it means to be salt and light rather than enjoy the moral purity of the spectator.' - John Ellis, Faith in Business Quarterly