Hello!

In continuing your welcome to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, I want to speak about the important role of ethics at the Bureau. Although we all have different roles and duties here, in order for this agency to succeed, we must share a common commitment to the principle that public service is a public trust. The American public trusts us to ensure that consumer financial markets are accessible, fair, transparent, and competitive. To earn and keep that trust, all of our decisions and actions must be guided by the public interest and must not be influenced by anyone's private interests. Similarly, we must not give improper preferential treatment to anyone-family, friends, or business associates.

The actions of every employee reflect back on the Bureau. Each of us has the ability to strengthen the confidence of the public we serve and the industry we oversee by doing the right thing always. It is a fact of life in today's connected world that a single employee, through a single unethical act, can erode the public's confidence.

So I am asking you today, as you begin your career at the Bureau, to commit to personal and collective integrity as you carry out your duties. At every level of this organization, together we shall foster a culture that values the person who identifies an ethical problem and finds the appropriate solution; who stops to seek guidance if a particular matter poses an ethical dilemma; and who encourages discussion and raises awareness of the ethical conduct we all must promote.

One of our ethics officials will now give you an overview of the ethics statutes and Standards of Ethical Conduct. Please give your full attention to this important information. And once again, welcome aboard!