NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Monday, December 16, 2019

By Jeff Benjamin

Three years ago, when Jeffrey Gitterman transitioned his $120 million advisory firm to be 100% focused on ESG investing, he said the key to getting clients on board was in the explanation.

Even though he admits that the Gitterman Wealth Management client base, made up mostly of college professors, was not a tough ESG sell, he wanted clients to focus on the investment advantages of incorporating environmental, social and governance issues when building their portfolios.

“I moved $120 million in 18 months and didn’t have any clients say no,” Mr. Gitterman said at the InvestmentNews ESG & Impact Investing Forum on Dec. 5 at the United Nations in New York. About 200 financial advisers and investment managers gathered at the event to discuss the investment opportunities in this broad and growing market.

Photo courtesy of reynermedia.