Five property and casualty companies have been named to a listof ethical companies put together by the Scottsdale, Ariz.-basedEthisphereInstitute, a management consulting firm.

Connecticut-based HartfordFinancial Services Group Inc.; Northbrook,Ill.-based Allstate Corp.; San Antonio-based USAA; Itasca,Ill.-based Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.; and Columbus,Ga.-based Aflac Inc. were among the 131 companies spanning21 countries named to Ethisphere's 2016 World's Most Ethical Companies list.

This is the 10th year the Ethisphere has compiled the list,which it says measures companies that demonstrate leadership inareas such as citizenship, integrity and transparency.

Hartford, which has appeared on the list eight times, said thecompany's culture is built on a foundation of integrity andrespect, backed by a strong ethics and compliance program thatemphasizes leadership accountability and preventing ethical lapsesand compliance issues. The company said it demonstrates thesevalues in the way its employees make decisions, promote aninclusive work environment, volunteer in local communities andbecome ambassadors for environmental stewardship.

“This effort is amply supported by a strong compliance andethics program which is anchored by a notable code of conduct andimpressive training and communications efforts,” said TimothyErblich, Ethisphere's chief executive officer.

This is the second year Allstate has appeared.

“Our commitment to leading ethically is at the core of who weare as a business. It drives our reputation, culture, businessopportunities and long-term value to ourstakeholders,” said Kelly Noll, senior vice president andchief ethics, compliance and privacy officer of Allstate.

Ethisphere said companies on its list align principle withaction, work to make trust part of their corporate DNA and shapeindustry standards by introducing tomorrow's best practicestoday.

“Companies rely on Ethisphere to continually raise and measurethe standards of corporate behavior. Those that demonstrateleadership in areas like citizenship, integrity and transparencycreate more value for their investors, communities, customers andemployees, thus solidifying a sustainable business advantage,”Erblich said.

Aflac has appeared on the list every year since its inception,which the company's chairman and CEO, Dan Amos, said is “an honorand, in today's climate, a welcomed validation of our businesspractices.”

“Research continues to show that consumers and investors have aheightened expectation for companies to behave ethically andresponsibly, so we are proud to receive this award,” he said.

Gallagher, the only insurance broker on the list, has been onthe list for five consecutive years.

“Transparency and sustainability are no longermere buzzwords for corporations. As a board member, my role isnot only one of oversight, but one of stewardship, that is,ensuring that these corporations are both valuable and worthpreserving,” said Sherry Barrat, board member of ArthurJ. Gallagher & Co. “Companies that understand that corporateintegrity is a key driver and provides a performance advantageare those that will continually lead their industries and beconsidered both trustworthy and successful.”

Stuart Parker, CEO of USAA said everything they do isdriven by the company's core values of honesty, integrity, loyaltyand service. “USAA employees come to work every day with a passionto do the right thing to facilitate the financial security of ourmembers, their families and each other,” he said.

Ethisphere said it scores companies in five categories: ethicsand compliance program; corporate citizenship and responsibility;culture of ethics; governance; and leadership, innovation andreputation.

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