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HSBC was named one of the world's most ethical companies by Ethisphere Magazine, a national publication dedicated to illuminating the important correlation between ethics and profit. The elite list of companies were recognised for their strong leadership in ethics and compliance, advancement of industry discourse on social and ethical issues, and positive engagement in the communities in which they operate.

The editors of the magazine chose fewer than 100 companies from several thousand organisations that they analysed over a six-month period. The process included:

• Reviewing companies' codes of ethics, litigation and regulatory infraction histories;
• Evaluating investment in innovation and sustainable business practices;
• Looking at companies' activities to improve corporate citizenship;
• Studying nominations from senior executives, industry peers, suppliers and customers;
• Working with consumer action groups for feedback and rating.

The Ethisphere Council was created in 2006 by:

• Corpedia – a leader in risk assessment and eLearning for ethics and compliance;
• The Practising Law Institute – a non-profit organisation committed to enhancing the professionalism of attorneys and others;
• LexisNexis – a leading provider of comprehensive information and business solutions;

and formed with support from such leading corporations as Deutsche Telekom, Time Warner, Dresser Industries, Avaya and Kraft. The council is dedicated to the research, creation, and sharing of best practices in ethics, compliance, and corporate governance among its membership companies. It also focuses on the development and advancement of its members through increased efficiency, innovation, tools, mentoring, advice, and unique career opportunities.

To read more about Ethisphere, the ethical companies awards or how to become a member, visit the Ethisphere website.