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

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

By launching your Investing with Impact Platform, you can change the world — literally.

By targeting risk-adjusted financial returns as well as positive environmental and social impact, you are telling investors they can do well and do good at the same time. The idea, I know, is to help clients align their financial goals and their personal values, and by empowering your financial advisers with a broad range of investment options you are taking the lead on a whole new investment class.

As you readily admit, the concept of integrating social and environmental impact into investment decisions is not new, but its growing importance has led to greater opportunities for investors; nearly one in eight dollars under professional management in the U.S. — or about $3.07 trillion — follows investment strategies that consider corporate responsibility and societal concerns.