10 December 2008
Kleinwort Benson today announced a new association with Investing for Good, offering clients of the award-winning private bank access to services from the social and ethical investing sphere.
With a vision to encourage fresh capital to tackle the world’s most pressing problems, Investing for Good is an organisation that offers advice and portfolio management services using investments whose primary purpose is to deliver positive social impact and sustainable environmental change. These include grant making, venture philanthropy and investments that can drive the solutions to address key issues such as poverty, economic development, community finance, fair-trade, ethical consumerism and micro finance.
Kleinwort Benson can now give its clients access to investment opportunities that have a positive ethical impact from a comprehensive investment universe, whilst still offering a strong financial return. Utilising the research and screening services of global responsible investment specialists EIRIS, Kleinwort Benson is developing a pool of listed FTSE350 companies which can be adapted to include only those companies making positive social contributions, for example companies which have strong human rights or environmental policies.
Geoff Burnand, Chief Executive of Investing for Good said: "These are historic times in wealth management and we are delighted to be working with Kleinwort Benson. The idea of putting capital to work for good is moving from the periphery of activist investors to the core of mainstream financial institutions. Philanthropy and social investing are new asset classes that enable the investor to really engage with the issues they care about."
Guy McGlashan, Head of Private Wealth Management Services at Kleinwort Benson, said: "Our association with Investing for Good will enable our clients to align their investment portfolios with the social and environmental issues close to their hearts. Besides delivering an element of financial return, these investments can make a real difference in areas such as education, economic development, healthcare and poverty. Coupled with the listed equity screening process we offer with EIRIS, our clients can choose an option from a broad spectrum of social and ethical investments that is right for them."
Press enquiries: Rachel Butler +44 20 3207 7239