Exhibit 14
B.H.I.T. INC.
CODE OF ETHICS
March 2004
B.H.I.T. Inc. (the
“Company”) is committed to uphold the highest standards of ethics in the
conduct of our business affairs. We have a duty to carry out our responsibilities in accordance
with both the letter and the spirit of the law. We will strictly comply with the laws, rules and
regulations that apply to
our Company and with the corporate policies, procedures and guidelines
established by
our Company.
The Company acts only through its employees and therefore every employee is responsible for
carrying out our commitment to these high standards. We expect every employee to act with honesty
and integrity in every aspect of daily business and to follow the principles set out in this Code
of Ethics (the
“Code”) in all business matters.
Failure to comply with the standards contained in the Code can damage
the Company’s good name,
trade and client relations and business opportunities. In addition, conduct that violates
applicable laws or regulations can subject the individuals involved and
the Company and its
officers to civil liabilities and in many cases to prosecution, imprisonment and fines.
For convenience, the Code is drafted to refer to Company employees, but
“employees” should be read
to include also every director, officer, consultant and agent of
the Company, unless the context
clearly otherwise indicates. Copies of the Code, available from the President of
the Company,
should be provided to consultants and agents retained to provide services to which the Code is
applicable.
A. Dissemination of Confidential Information
Company employees will learn confidential information in the course of their employment about the
Company’s business or about the business of our present and prospective clients. Confidential
information may include business, financial, pricing and marketing data, supplier and customer
information and personnel information such as salary data.
The Company is committed to protecting confidential information to the maximum extent reasonable
and possible. Every employee must keep such information confidential and not disclose it to anyone
who does not have a legitimate need to know, including others within
the Company. Employees may
not use confidential information except in connection with
the Company’s business.
Former employees remain bound by the rules of confidentiality. An employee who leaves a job at the
Company may not use confidential information learned while employed here, nor may such information
be given to anyone else to use.
Employees have a special obligation not to buy or sell
the Company’s or any client company’s
securities when they have knowledge of any important information regarding
the Company or the
client company which is not generally known to the public. Please see the discussion under the
heading
“Securities Trading” for additional guidelines.
B. Securities Trading
The Company’s stock is traded publicly, and
the Company has a commitment to compliance with
applicable United States federal and state and foreign securities laws and regulations. In the
course of business operations, you may become aware of nonpublic information regarding important
business affairs of
the Company or other firms. The securities laws prohibit trading securities on
the basis of such information if it is material. Under the securities laws, information is deemed
to be material if an investor would consider it important in deciding whether to buy, sell or hold
securities. Examples of some types of material information are financial results, financial
forecasts, possible mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and other purchases and sales of or
investments in companies, obtaining or losing important
contracts, significant discoveries,
important product developments, major litigation developments and major changes in business
direction.
Employees may not (i) direct someone else to buy or sell on their behalf if they have knowledge of
any material nonpublic information or (ii) pass material nonpublic information on to outsiders
(
“tipping”) who may then trade on it. Do not give advice or recommendations to others concerning
an investment in Company securities or the securities of another company about which you have heard
through your employment with
the Company. This restriction applies to your family and friends.
C. Conflict of Interest
No officer, employee or member of his or her immediate family shall have a conflict of interest
with the business of
the Company. A conflict of interest can exist where an employee or a member
of his immediate family:
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Has an interest in, or a position with a supplier, customer or competitor of our
Company, or such other financial interest as could affect the employee’s judgment
(the exception being ownership of a listed company’s stock). |
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Gains personal enrichment through access to confidential information, whether in
connection with the trading in the Company stock or otherwise. |
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Gains personal enrichment through misuse of his or her position in the Company. |
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D. Making and Accepting Gifts
Employees of
the Company shall not make, nor accept gifts of more than $75 in value from:
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Customers, prospective customers, suppliers or prospective suppliers of the Company. |
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Employees of any customer, prospective customer, supplier or prospective supplier of the Company. |
In addition, employees shall not make, or accept from the above, any entertainment or social
invitations involving more than reasonable cost. Should an employee have questions whether a gift
may be contrary to this Code, then advance written approval should be sought from their supervisor
and each supervisor should make a report to the President of
the Company regarding the
circumstances if the gift is accepted.
E. Political Contributions, Payment to Unrelated Parties and Outside Activities
No political contributions shall be made by
the Company unless permitted by local and United States
law and made with the prior written consent of the President of
the Company.
No employee shall be reimbursed directly or indirectly for any political contribution made by such
employee.
An employee must obtain written permission in advance from their immediate supervisor before
serving as a director, trustee, officer, owner, partner or employee of any other organization, or
before entering self-employment, consulting, writing, speaking, teaching or any other individual
employment activity.
Employees may serve as volunteers, without compensation, in the capacity of director, trustee,
officer, member or representative of non-profit organizations such as school boards, hospitals,
churches and social organizations without obtaining prior approval of their immediate supervisor,
provided there are no points of conflict with
the Company and with their employment with the
Company.
No Employee shall accept individual compensation for making an oral presentation, writing,
teaching, lecturing, rendering charitable or professional services or for performing any other
activity prepared or carried out using the time or facilities of
the Company. Any amounts received
for activities of this type must be approved in writing by the employee’s immediate supervisor and
any amounts received remitted to
the Company.
If no company time or facilities are used in the preparation or delivery of the non-company
activity, individual compensation received may be retained by the individual, subject to the
aforementioned Conflict of Interest rules. This permission does not extend to books or articles
subject of which is related to the types of business conducted by
the Company as to which prior
written approval is required.
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F. Trade, Technical Secrets and Competition
Trade and technical secrets shall not be disclosed by any employee to anyone except with prior
approval by the President of
the Company and when accompanied by appropriate legal documents to
protect these valuable assets.
In its business activities
the Company engages in vigorous, but fair and ethical competition. The
Company excludes all practices which are anti-competitive, illegal or unethical. Discussions and
agreements, oral or written, with competitors concerning pricing or other competitive policies are
prohibited. Employees must take special care to ensure that in meeting of trade associations and
other business groups, competitive policies and practices are not
discussed.
G. Bribes, Illegal Payments and Kickbacks
No payments by
the Company shall be approved or made with the intention or understanding that any
part or all of such payment is to be used for any purpose other than described by the supporting
documents.
No employee is to use funds, assets, or services of
the Company for an unlawful purpose.
H. Accounting Accuracy
No undisclosed or unrecorded fund or asset of
the Company shall be established or maintained.
No false or misleading entries shall be made in the books and records of
the Company.
No employee shall knowingly make a false or misleading statement to
the Company’s independent
auditors.
Any employee having information or knowledge of an unrecorded fund or asset or any prohibited act
shall promptly report such matter to the President of
the Company.
I. Compliance with Trade Laws
Compliance with government trade laws in spirit and in letter is a fundamental Company policy.
No employee may directly, or indirectly, engage in agreements to limit production or services,
unjustified and undocumented preferential price, trade reciprocity or other activities contrary to
the Company pricing policies.
J. General
The President of
the Company shall be responsible for the administration of and compliance with the
Code. Periodic distribution and reinforcement to ensure employee knowledge and compliance is
required of all employees. Exceptions to this Code may only be granted by the President of the
Company or his designee.
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Employees will annually be required to complete an acknowledgement and compliance with the Code.
All employees are required to keep their supervisory officers fully informed on all matters
pertinent to
the Company’s affairs and business activities with the aim of ensuring that senior
management will be fully informed on a timely basis as to all such matters. If any employee
believes there may be conflicts of interest in reporting to senior management any acts which fail
to comply with this Code, or the employee believes senior management acts may be contrary to the
Code, then the employee is directed to contact the President of
the Company.
K. Labor and Employment Law
The Company is committed to cultivating a safe and fair work environment. All employees must
comply with all applicable United States and foreign laws concerning labor and employment. The
Company is bound by these laws and has established policies and programs, including equal
employment opportunity policies, safety and health programs and wage and hour procedures, to ensure
compliance with legal requirements, certain of which are described below.
Equal Employment Opportunity.
The Company is dedicated to the goal of providing equal
opportunity for all employees. We have a duty to ensure that everyone has a fair and equal
opportunity not only of being hired, but also of being promoted and enjoying all of the
opportunities offered by
the Company. It is therefore Company policy to recruit, hire and promote
without discrimination based on any impermissible classification including, but not limited to,
race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital status,
veteran status or sexual orientation. As an equal employment opportunity employer,
the Company is
dedicated to the principles of affirmative action and requires all employees to implement steps to
achieve those principles.
Consistent with this policy,
the Company will not tolerate discrimination against its employees by
any employee or any individual or firm with whom
the Company does business based upon any
impermissible classification.
The Company will not tolerate racist or bigoted remarks or treating
fellow employees with disrespect. If you believe you have been subjected to unlawful employment
discrimination, you should immediately contact the President of
the Company. All complaints of
employment discrimination will be investigated swiftly and in as confidential a manner as possible,
and, if appropriate, corrective and disciplinary action will be taken.
Sexual Harassment. As part of
the Company’s equal employment opportunity policy, the
Company is committed to protecting the right of its employees to work in an environment that is
free from all forms of discrimination, including sexual harassment. No form of sexual harassment
will be tolerated. Sexual harassment may include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual
favors, and verbal, physical or visual conduct or conditions of a sexual nature that have the
effect of unreasonably interfering with an employee’s work performance or which create an
intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment. If you believe you have been the victim of
sexual harassment, you should immediately contact the President of
the Company. All
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allegations of sexual harassment will be investigated promptly in as confidential a manner as
possible, and, if appropriate, corrective and disciplinary action will be taken.
Safety and Health.
The Company is committed to providing its employees with a safe and
healthy work environment and complying with all applicable occupational safety and health laws and
standards. Employees are required to report any adverse health or safety incidents or conditions,
including broken equipment or machinery and accidents, to the President of
the Company. All such
reports will be investigated promptly and corrective action will be taken as appropriate.
Other activities which are prohibited because they are not conducive to a good work environment
include: (i) harassment, threats and violent behavior; (ii) possession of weapons; and (iii)
possession, use, sale or distribution of illegal drugs. If employees are under the influence of
illegal drugs or alcohol, they may not be present on Company premises.
L. Responding to Inquiries from the Press and Others
Requests for financial or business information about
the Company from any member of the investment
community, including securities analysts, fund and portfolio managers, directors of research and
brokers, or any member of the business or financial press or other news media, should be referred
to the President of
the Company to ensure appropriate and timely response. Requests for
information or other contacts from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. or other securities regulators must also be referred to the President
of
the Company. It is critical that employees not respond to any such inquiries or contacts
themselves because any inappropriate or inaccurate response, even a disclaimer of information, may
result in adverse publicity and could otherwise seriously affect
the Company’s legal position.
This policy does not apply to requests for published financial information, such as Annual and
Quarterly Reports, or to requests concerning normal marketing product or promotional publicity
activities of
the Company.
Requests for proposed interviews with any Company employee by the financial community or news
media, and the issuance of any
press release by any Company employee, must be reviewed and approved
in advance by the President of
the Company. Company-initiated interviews similarly must be
approved before they may be scheduled with the media.
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Exhibit A
B.H.I.T. INC.
COMPLIANCE ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This is to acknowledge that I have received, read and understand the Code of Ethics of
B.H.I.T. Inc. (the
“Code”). I agree to comply fully with the standards contained in the Code (and
the related policies and procedures adopted by B.H.I.T. Inc. and understand that compliance with
these standards, policies and procedures is a condition to my continued employment or associations
with B.H.I.T. Inc. and its
subsidiaries. Further, except as set forth below, I am in full
compliance with the Code and such policies and procedures, I have no knowledge of any violations of
the Code by others and I have no agreements with, or obligations to, others which may present me
with a conflict of interest (please specify any exceptions below and on attached sheets or state
“none”):
I acknowledge that the Code is a statement of policies for individual and business conduct and does
not, in any way, constitute an employment
contract or an assurance of continued employment or
employment other than at-will.
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