Proactive online reputation management hinges on proper due diligence, says Atlantic Trust

Reputation risk management becoming increasingly important in the online business world

ATLANTA, May 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ - Making small lifestyle changes can lead to better online security management for families and individuals, according to Atlantic Trust, the U.S. private wealth management division of CIBC (NYSE: CM) (TSX: CM).

The routine use of social media for self-promotion and networking has opened the door to new forms of reputation risk. Inappropriate content posted on social networks, a pending lawsuit or negative attention from the media or on other websites all represent potential risks to what might otherwise be a sterling reputation.

"Social media is all around us in innumerable forms. Some of us use a lot of it; most of us use some of it," says Linda S. Beerman, chief fiduciary officer for Atlantic Trust. "However, as valuable as fluency in social media has become, we ignore the potential for privacy at our peril."

Individuals and families can take a proactive approach to reputation management by being thoughtful about how they want to be perceived online. Those concerned with their online footprint can also monitor the content that appears about them by conducting a quick search online for themselves or by setting up regular news alerts for their names, companies, taglines and products.

Because even transgressions from years past can live online forever, family members should discuss the importance of reputation and how it can impact long-term wealth preservation, business or foundation goals, and family legacy plans. It is especially important for families with younger members to try to reach a consensus about an overall social networking strategy.

To help individuals and their families use social media more safely, Atlantic Trust has engaged with David Papp, a leading technology and social media expert, to headline a new speaker series, called "Cybersecurity: What You Need to Know," in cities throughout the U.S.

"The real truth is that negative comments, posts or tweets will happen whether you're engaged or not," Papp says. "But being part of the conversation allows you to respond directly and react, and being engaged is always better than pretending these things don't happen."

Atlantic Trust also hosts a variety of resources concerning family and asset protection strategies in its Online Resource Center. For more information, read "Financial Self-Defense, Part II: Reputation Risk" or visit www.atlantictrust.com.

About Atlantic Trust

Atlantic Trust is one of the nation's leading private wealth management firms, offering integrated wealth management for high net worth individuals, families, foundations and endowments. The firm considers clients' financial, trust, estate planning and philanthropic needs in developing customized asset allocation and investment management strategies. Experienced professionals deliver a broad range of solutions, including proprietary investment offerings and a robust open architecture platform of traditional and alternative managers. Atlantic Trust operates in 13 full-service locations throughout the U.S. with $27.0 billion in assets under management (as of March 31, 2015). For more information, visit www.atlantictrust.com.

About CIBC

CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution. Through our Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Wholesale Banking businesses, CIBC provides a full range of financial products to individual, small business, commercial, corporate and institutional clients in Canada and around the world. CIBC owns a 41 percent equity interest in American Century Investments®, a major U.S. asset management company, serving financial intermediaries, institutions and individuals, and acquired Atlantic Trust, a premier U.S. private wealth management firm, in January 2014. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Media Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.

SOURCE Atlantic Trust Private Wealth Management