Belk College conference to examine role of ethics in credit crisis

Two of the nation’s top experts in business ethics and a retired executive from the Federal Reserve Bank will be the keynote speakers at an upcoming UNC Charlotte conference on “Business Ethics and the Credit Crisis.”

Jeff Kane, the UNC Charlotte Trustee who recently retired from the Federal Reserve Bank as head of the Charlotte branch, will give the opening keynote lecture on Tuesday, March 31, focusing on the role of public policy.

Professors Edward Kane from Boston College and Robert Kolb from Loyola University Chicago will speak on Wednesday, April 1. They willfocus on the role, or lack, of business ethics in the financial services sector and the impact on the world financial market.

The conference also will feature top academics presenting papers and leading group discussions on the current economic downturn from an ethical perspective, examining topics such as
– incentive structures in financial institutions,
– the breakdown of regulatory oversight,
– biased financial reporting and forecasting and
– the role of corporate social responsibility in regaining trust.

Dr. Denis Arnold [pictured], the Surtman Distinguished Scholar in Business Ethics in the Belk College of Business, is the conference director.

The full conference schedule is available at www.belkcollege.charlotte.edu/ethics. The conference is free and open to the public, and participants are welcome to attend the entire conference or selected programs.

A number of value-added benefits are available for attendees for a modest fee, including a conference proceedings book containing copies of the papers presented, reserved parking and a private catered luncheon with speakers and presenters. Registration for these benefits is available through the conference website.