Online Conversations

Hot Issues in Ethics in Finance

The conversations are a series of events which aims to show the richness of the debate on ethics in finance and the diversity of topics.

We hope that these conversations will inspire potential candidates to the Global Prize, as we are currently running the 10th edition and we are glad to invite all interested people to register. The deadline for submission is 17th March 2025.

Debt in the Global South

For this fifth conversation, our guests are :

  • Marina Ponti, Global Director of the UN SDG Action Campaign, based in Bonn, Germany.
  • Anazuo Salihu, Prize winners of the 8th edition (2021/2022) and Lecturer and Researcher, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Nigeria.

Why are so many developing countries facing rising debt burdens this decade? The rising cost of sovereign debt has led to a worsening of external debt sustainability, leading developing nations to delay important investment in favor of debt servicing. What could/should be done to stop this vicious circle? To what extent a modern version of the Jubilee (debt cancellations) could inspire strategies for a more “just” and equitable system of debts? These are some of the questions being discussed.

The following conversations are supported by CFA Institute. Each of these online conversations takes place between a CFA Charterholder and one or two previous winners of the Global Prize Ethics & Trust in Finance.

Ethical Issues in Business Governance and Conduct

For this fourth conversation, our guests are :

  • Jean-François Bouilly, CFA Charterholder, Secretary general at Sanso Longchamps Asset Management.
  • Florian Barras, Prize winners of the 9th edition (2022/2023) and PhD in environmental sciences.

Do we see a shift from a shareholder dominant approach to a stakeholder-oriented corporate governance? How can the interests of shareholders be aligned with that of other stakeholders? What are the primary ethical challenges financial institutions face when integrating ESG principles into their governance frameworks? How can regulators ensure that businesses adhere to ethical practices in their governance and ESG commitments? These are some of the questions being discussed.

Ethics and Sustainability in Finance

For this third conversation, our guests are :

  • José Carlos Valer, CFA Charterholder, Visiting academic at the University of Oxford, OSGA Center.
  • Julie Segal, Prize winner of the 8th edition (2020/2021) and Senior Manager, Climate Finance, Environmental Defence Canada.

Does sustainable finance approach ethics in a genuine way? To what extent does ethics vary according to different regions and cultures and what could be the implications for sustainable finance? Who should enforce ethical considerations within the growing field of sustainable finance? These are some of the questions being discussed.

Ethics, Fintech & AI

For this second conversation, our guests are :

  • Eelco Fiole, CFA Charterholder, Managing Partner, Alpha Governance Partners & honorary professor Finance Ethics, University of Neuchatel.
  • Anshuman Mehta, Prize winner of the 5th edition (2014/2015) and Chief Product Officer @ Domify AI, New York, NY.

What are the potential risks related to the use of AI in finance? Do users have a “right to explanation” for decisions made by algorithms? What is the priority at this stage, regulation or innovation? Can we have both? These are some of the questions being discussed.

Ethics & Business Conduct

For this first conversation, our guests are :

  • Vic Elsen, CFA Charterholder, Head of division, supervision of alternative investment funds, at Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), Luxemburg.
  • Andrea Longton, Prize winner of the8th edition (2020/2021) and CFA, Author, The Social Justice Investor.
  • Mehtab Rose, Prize winner of the 6th edition (2016/2017) and Credit Executive Corporate at the Mauritius Commercial Bank.

To what extent can ethical principles be imbued within financial regulations? How to find a balance between regulation and innovation? How can we support ethical behavior in business organizations while maintaining a balance between profit and ethics? These are some of the questions being discussed.