Ethics in Finance Simulation

• Review case scenarios with competing interests

• Debate trade-offs between compliance, profitability, and integrity

• Decide on actions under time pressure and uncertainty

• Communicate choices to boards, clients, or regulators

• Respond to whistleblowers, media coverage, or regulatory audits

• Reflect on how their decisions shape trust and credibility

By the end of the simulation, participants will be able to:

• Recognize common ethical dilemmas in finance

• Apply ethical frameworks to complex decisions

• Balance profitability with integrity and compliance

• Communicate transparently with stakeholders under pressure

• Reflect on the reputational consequences of decisions

• Anticipate long-term risks of unethical practices

• Manage conflicts of interest responsibly

• Foster cultures of transparency and accountability

• Understand global perspectives on finance ethics

• Strengthen judgment and self-awareness in leadership roles

The simulation’s flexible structure ensures that these objectives can be calibrated to match the depth, duration, and focus areas of each program, whether in higher education or corporate learning.

The simulation can be run individually or in teams, across classrooms or professional programs. Each cycle represents a decision-making round.

1. Receive a Scenario or Brief: Participants are presented with an ethical challenge shaped by financial, regulatory, and reputational factors.

2. Analyse the Situation: They review key details, stakeholder positions, and trade-offs.

3. Make Strategic Decisions: Participants decide whether to prioritize profit, compliance, or ethical considerations.

4. Collaborate Across Roles: Teams role-play as executives, regulators, or clients debating outcomes.

5. Communicate Outcomes: Participants justify choices through board memos, press statements, or client updates.

6. Review and Reflect: Feedback highlights financial impact, reputational outcomes, and stakeholder trust. Participants refine strategies across rounds.

• Do participants need finance experience? No. Ethical dilemmas are designed to be relatable for varied audiences.

• What roles are included? Bankers, regulators, executives, investors, and clients.

• Is this simulation only about compliance? No. It explores ethics beyond compliance, including culture, trust, and responsibility.

• Can scenarios be tailored? Yes. They can reflect banking, asset management, fintech, or corporate finance.

• How long does it run? It can be delivered in short sessions or extended programs.

• Is teamwork part of it? Yes. Group play allows participants to debate ethical trade-offs.

• Does it include global perspectives? Yes. Scenarios can explore cultural differences in finance ethics.

• Can it be used in executive training? Absolutely. It is highly relevant for leaders balancing profit and integrity.

• How is performance measured? By judgment, reasoning, and communication rather than “right answers.”

• Can it run online? Yes. It supports hybrid, online, and in-person delivery.

• Consistency in applying ethical frameworks

• Balance between financial and ethical outcomes

• Clarity in communicating rationale

• Responsiveness to new information or scrutiny

• Collaboration and peer/self-assessment in dilemmas

You can also include memo writing and debrief presentations as part of the assessment structure. Additionally, you can also add a built-in peer and self-assessment tool to see how participants rate themselves. This flexibility allows the simulation to be easily integrated by professors as graded courses at universities and by HR at assessment centres at companies.