The SAAM's active supervisory activities

Supervision of the members associated with the SAAM should maintain and promote the confidence of investors in the professionalism of independent asset managers and the excellent reputation of the Swiss financial centre.

Prevention and consultation
The SAAM primarily follows a preventative policy in its supervisory activities. It seeks to support its members to the best of its ability in the adherence to and implementation of the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct by providing attractive education and training opportunities as well as guidelines and examples for the uncomplicated implementation of the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct in practice. The Association also supports its members with consultation. This is intended to prevent potential infractions against the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and the Anti-Money Laundering Act. This is because the improper conduct of a single individual damages the entire profession and ultimately also the financial centre Switzerland.

Audits
An additional and important supervisory tool is represented by the annual audit. It is intended to identify weaknesses in the implementation of the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and the Anti-Money Laundering Act, as well as to uncover any potential infractions by members against the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. SAAM members can choose their own auditor. The auditor, however, must meet the recognition requirements of the SAAM in every case, in order to guarantee flawless auditing activities.

Sanctions
If infractions by SAAM members against the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct or the Anti-Money Laundering act are discovered, then the SRO Board of Directors is empowered to sanction such members. Such sanctions can extend from warnings for minor infractions to penalties for more serious infractions or even expulsion from the Association for blatant misbehavior.

With this system of supervision, the SAAM, in the sense of self-regulation, facilitates adherence to its established ethics and professional rules. These are as binding as laws for SAAM members.