AEROCENTURY has
established standards for behavior that affects the Company, and
employees, officers and directors must comply with those standards.
The Company promotes ethical behavior and encourages employees to
talk to supervisors, managers, the AEROCENTURY Compliance Team, or
other appropriate personnel when in doubt about the best course of
action in a particular situation. Non-employee directors are
encouraged to talk to AEROCENTURY'S General Counsel or outside legal
counsel in such situations. Anyone aware of a situation that he or
she believes may violate or lead to a violation of this Code should
follow the guidelines under “Compliance and Reporting”
below.
The Code covers a
wide range of business practices and procedures. It does not cover
every issue that may arise, but it sets out basic principles to
guide you. Specific Company policies and procedures provide details
pertinent to many of the provisions of the Code. Although there can
be no better course of action than to apply common sense and sound
judgment, do not hesitate to use the resources available whenever it
is necessary to seek clarification.
APPROVALS AND
WAIVERS
Certain provisions
of this Code require you to act, or refrain from acting, unless
prior approval is received from the appropriate person. Employees
requesting approval pursuant to this Code should request such
approval in writing from the General Counsel. Approvals relating to
executive officers and directors must be obtained from the Company’s
Board of Directors. All other approvals may be granted by the
General Counsel, or such officer’s designee.
Other provisions of
this Code require you to act, or refrain from acting, in a
particular manner and do not permit exceptions based on obtaining an
approval. Waiver of those provisions relating to executive officers
and directors may only be granted by the Company’s Board of
Directors, and waivers relating to executive officers and directors
must be promptly disclosed to shareholders. All other waivers may be
granted by the General Counsel, or such officer’s designee. Changes
in this Code may only be made by the Board of Directors and must be
promptly disclosed to shareholders.
CONFLICTS OF
INTEREST
A conflict of
interest arises when your personal interests interfere with your
ability to act in the best interests of the Company.1
Employees must discharge their responsibilities on the basis of what
is in the best interest of the Company independent of personal
consideration or relationships. Non-employee directors must
discharge their fiduciary duties as directors of the Company.
Employees should
disclose any potential conflicts of interest to the General Counsel
or such officer’s designees, who can advise the employee as to
whether or not the Company believes a conflict of interest exists.
An employee should also disclose potential conflicts of interest
involving the employee’s spouse, siblings, parents, in-laws, and
children. Non-employee directors may discuss any concerns with the
General Counsel or outside legal counsel.
FAIR COMPETITION
Fair competition
laws, including the U.S. antitrust rules, limit what AEROCENTURY can
do with another company and what AEROCENTURY can do on its own.
Generally, the laws are designed to prohibit agreements or actions
that reduce competition and harm consumers. You may not enter into
agreements or discussions with competitors that have the effect of
fixing or controlling prices, dividing and allocating markets or
territories, or boycotting suppliers or customers. U.S. and foreign
antitrust laws also apply to imports and exports.
GIFTS,
GRATUITIES, ENTERTAINMENT AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Use of Company
funds or other Company property for illegal, unethical or otherwise
improper purposes is prohibited. The purpose of business
entertainment and gifts in a commercial setting is to create
goodwill and a sound working relationship, not to gain personal
advantage with customers or suppliers.
Loans
Employees may not
accept loans from any person or entities having or seeking business
with the Company. Directors and officers may not receive loans from
the Company, nor may the Company arrange for any loan.
Bribes and
Kickbacks
The use of Company
funds, facilities or property for any illegal or unethical purpose
is strictly prohibited; provided, that certain facilitating payments
discussed in “Doing Business Internationally” are
permitted.
The laws governing AEROCENTURY’s business in foreign countries are
extensive and complex, and may be different from those in the United
States.
Facilitating Payments to Low-Level Non-U.S. Governmental Employees
and Officials for Non-Discretionary Action
AEROCENTURY is
committed to complying with the laws of the countries where it
operates. In some countries, a very limited category of small
payments to facilitate or expedite routine nondiscretionary
governmental actions may be permitted as exceptions to antibribery
laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”). The
requirements pertaining to such payments are complex. AEROCENTURY
employees engaged in international business activities must obtain
prior approval of the Board of Directors before making any such
payment.
These “facilitating
payments” to non-U.S. governmental officials are distinguished from
payments made to influence a discretionary decision or to cause
violation of, or an act in conflict with, the interests of an
individual’s employer, which are strictly prohibited.
POLITICAL
CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOBBYING
No political
contributions are to be made using AEROCENTURY funds or assets to
any political party, political campaign, political candidate or
public official in the United States or any foreign country, unless
the contribution is lawful and expressly authorized in writing. In
addition, you may not make a political contribution on behalf of
AEROCENTURY, or with the appearance that such contribution is being
made on behalf of AEROCENTURY, unless expressly authorized in
writing. A “contribution” is any direct or indirect payment,
distribution, loan, advance, deposit, or gift of money, services or
anything of value in connection with an election or to an
organization or group formed to support or defend a referendum or
ballot issue.
Employees must
obtain prior approval to hire outside counsel or a public affairs
firm to contact government officials regarding legislation,
regulatory policy, or rule making. This includes grassroots lobbying
contacts.
ACCURACY OF
REPORTS, RECORDS AND ACCOUNTS
You are responsible
for the accuracy of your records, time sheets and reports. Accurate
information is essential to AEROCENTURY’s ability to meet legal and
regulatory obligations and to compete effectively. The records and
books of account of AEROCENTURY must meet the highest standards and
accurately reflect the true nature of the transactions they record.
Destruction of any records, books of account or other documents
except in accordance with AEROCENTURY’s document retention policy is
strictly prohibited.
You must not create
false or misleading documents or accounting, financial or electronic
records for any purpose relating to AEROCENTURY, and no one may
direct an employee to do so. For example, expense reports must
accurately document expenses actually incurred in accordance with
AEROCENTURY policies. You must not obtain or create “false” invoices
or other misleading documentation or invent or use fictitious
entities, sales, purchases, services, loans or other financial
arrangements for any purpose relating to AEROCENTURY. Employees are
also responsible for accurately reporting time worked.
No undisclosed or
unrecorded account or fund may be established for any purpose. No
false or misleading entries may be made in the Company’s books or
records for any reason. No disbursement of corporate funds or other
corporate property may be made without adequate supporting
documentation or for any purpose other than as described in the
documents. All employees must comply with generally accepted
accounting principles and the Company’s internal controls at all
times.
GOVERNMENT
INVESTIGATIONS
You must promptly
notify counsel of any government investigation or inquiries from
government agencies concerning AEROCENTURY. You may not destroy any
record, books of account, or other documents relating to AEROCENTURY
except in accordance with the Company’s document retention policy.
If you are aware of a government investigation or inquiry you may
not destroy any record, books of account, or other documents
relating to AEROCENTURY unless advised by the General Counsel or the
officer’s designee, that you may continue to follow the Company’s
normal document retention policy.
You must not
obstruct the collection of information, data or records relating to
AEROCENTURY. The Company provides information to the government that
it is entitled to during an inspection, investigation, or request
for information. You must not lie to government investigators or
making misleading statements in any investigation relating to
AEROCENTURY. You must not attempt to cause any employee to fail to
provide accurate information to government investigators.
REGULATORY
COMPLIANCE
The agencies that
regulate its business include the Federal Aviation Administration,
plus many other federal, provincial, state and local agencies. The
Company and its employees must comply with the regulatory
requirements of these agencies. Employees are expected to take an
active role by being knowledgeable about all applicable laws and
regulations, attending trainings and requesting information.
Employees are encouraged to immediately report regulatory
violations, suspected regulatory violations, or potentially harmful
or dangerous conditions to a supervisor or the General Counsel.
INSIDER TRADING;
COMMUNICATIONS WITH THIRD PARTIES
Employees, officers
and directors who have access to the Company’s confidential
information are not permitted to use or share that information for
stock trading purposes or for any other purpose except the conduct
of our business.
Insider Trading
Inside information
is material information about a publicly traded company that is not
known by the public. Information is deemed “material” if it could
affect the market price of a security or if a reasonable investor
would attach importance to the information in deciding whether to
buy, sell or hold a security. Inside information typically relates
to financial conditions, such as progress toward achieving revenue
and earnings targets or projections of future earnings or losses of
the Company. Inside information also includes changes in strategy
regarding a proposed merger, acquisition or tender offer, new
products or services, contract awards and other similar information.
Inside information is not limited to information about AEROCENTURY.
It also includes material non-public information about others,
including the Company’s customers, suppliers, and competitors.
Insider trading is
prohibited by law. It occurs when an individual with material,
non-public information trades securities or communicates such
information to others who trade. The person who trades or “tips”
information violates the law if he or she has a duty or relationship
of trust and confidence not to use the information.
Trading or helping
others trade while aware of inside information has serious legal
consequences, even if the Insider does not receive any personal
financial benefit. Insiders may also have an obligation to take
appropriate steps to prevent insider trading by others.
Confidential
Information
You must maintain
the confidentiality of information entrusted to you by the Company
or its customers, except when disclosure is authorized or legally
mandated. Confidential information includes all non-public
information, including information that might be of use to
competitors or harmful to the Company or its customers if disclosed.
COMPLIANCE AND
REPORTING
Compliance
Any employee who
violates the provisions of this Code will be subject to disciplinary
action, up to and including termination. Willful disregard of
criminal statutes underlying this Code may require the Company to
refer such violation for criminal prosecution or civil action.
Reporting
Procedures and Other Inquiries
Questions regarding
the policies in this Code may be directed to the General Counsel.
Managers and supervisors are also resources who can provide timely
advice and guidance to employees on ethics and compliance concerns.
Any employee having knowledge of, or questions or concerns about, an
actual or possible violation of the provisions of this Code is
encouraged to promptly report the matter to his or her immediate
supervisor or to a member of the Compliance Team. The names and
contact information for the members of the Compliance Team are set
out below. Directors are encouraged to discuss any issues or
concerns with the General Counsel or outside legal counsel to the
Company.
If you have
concerns relating to AEROCENTURY’s accounting, internal controls or
auditing matters, you may also confidentially, and anonymously if
you desire, submit the information to the Company’s Audit Committee
of the Directors, attention Thomas Orr by email at
tomorr34@comcast.net, by
mail at 29 Bonnie Bank Way, San Rafael, CA 94901 or by telephone
(415) 456-5460. When submitting concerns, you are asked to provide
as much detailed information as possible. Providing detailed, rather
than general, information will assist us in effectively
investigating complaints. This is particularly important when you
submit a complaint on an anonymous basis, since we will be unable to
contact you with requests for additional information or
clarification.
We are providing
these anonymous reporting procedures so that you may disclose
genuine concerns without feeling threatened. Employees who choose to
identify themselves when submitting a report may be contacted in
order to gain additional information.
All conversations,
calls and reports made under this policy in good faith will be taken
seriously.
Policy
Prohibiting Unlawful Retaliation or Discrimination
Neither the Company
nor any of its employees may discharge, demote, suspend, threaten,
harass or in any manner discriminate against any employee in the
terms and conditions of employment based upon any lawful actions of
such employee who in good faith: