Chinese wall
Ethical separation protocol
A Chinese wall is a barrier preventing information from passing between departments or groups that shouldn't share it—especially in finance, where investment bankers and traders must be kept separate to prevent insider trading.
The term alludes to the Great Wall of China, suggesting an impenetrable divide.
The firm maintains a Chinese wall between its advisory and trading desks.
Network access control system
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- insider tradingIllegal securities transactions using nonpublic information
- confidentialityQuality of protecting secrets
- conflict of interestCompromised impartiality from competing stakes
privileged information · investment banking · due diligence · arm's length · corporate governance · trade secrets · market manipulation · front running
Obstruction preventing passage
- partitionBarrier separating spaces
- divisionSplitting into parts
- firewallNetwork access control system
- segregationForced separation by group
compartmentalization · buffer · insulation · demarcation · boundary · silo · quarantine · isolation
Strengthening defenses or nutrients
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- rampartFortified defensive wall
- partitionBarrier separating spaces
- enclosureConfined, bordered space
masonry · boundary · construction · ancient · monument · watchtower · battlements · stonework
firewall
Network access control system
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- insider tradingIllegal securities transactions using nonpublic information
- confidentialityQuality of protecting secrets
conflict of interest · privileged information · investment banking · due diligence · arm's length · corporate governance · trade secrets · market manipulation · front running · underwriting
barrier
Obstruction preventing passage
segregation · compartmentalization · buffer · insulation · demarcation · boundary · silo · quarantine · isolation · enclave
fortification
Strengthening defenses or nutrients
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- rampartFortified defensive wall
- partitionBarrier separating spaces
enclosure · masonry · boundary · construction · ancient · monument · watchtower · battlements · stonework
Chinese wallopen communication
Unrestricted exchange of information
full disclosure · transparency · open channels · information exchange · cross-pollination
Chinese wallopen door
Barrier removed for entry
open access · sieve · revolving door · borderless · breach