Ethical banking

Mirova Appoints Nathalie Wallace as Head of ESG Strategy & Development

Banking, Professional services, Finance, Ethical investment, Ethical banking
Thursday, January 14, 2021 - 3:00pm

Mirova, a global investment affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers with $18.6 billion in assets under management1 specializing in sustainable finance, today announced the addition of Nathalie Wallace as Head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Strategy & Development.

Key Points: 
  • Mirova, a global investment affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers with $18.6 billion in assets under management1 specializing in sustainable finance, today announced the addition of Nathalie Wallace as Head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Strategy & Development.
  • Wallace will also work to enhance the firms brand in the US market, and develop, implement and promote their business strategy.
  • We are thrilled to have Nathalie join Mirovas efforts to support our clients, who are increasingly allocating capital to sustainable investment solutions, said Anne-Laurence Roucher, Deputy CEO and Head of Development & Operations, Mirova.
  • With an accelerated transition to a net zero and more equitable economy, and one of the greatest commercial opportunities of our time, Im looking forward to building on Mirovas leading positions in sustainable investments to the benefit of its investors and society, said Nathalie Wallace, Head of ESG Strategy & Development, Mirova US.

Siemens Foundation and Northern Trust to Invest $10M in Community Development Financial Institutions to Support Racial and Social Equity in Underserved Communities

Other Philanthropy, Finance, General Health, Health, Professional services, Philanthropy, Fund Raising, Foundation, Ethical banking, Financial services, Community development financial institution, Industry economics), Service industries, Siemens Foundation, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, Siemens, Trust law
Thursday, January 14, 2021 - 2:00pm

The Siemens Foundation and Northern Trust today announced a commitment of $10 million to two Community Development Financial Institutions Funds (CDFI) to support racial and social equity in underserved communities.

Key Points: 
  • The Siemens Foundation and Northern Trust today announced a commitment of $10 million to two Community Development Financial Institutions Funds (CDFI) to support racial and social equity in underserved communities.
  • The Siemens Foundation partnered with Northern Trust to identify the CDFIs selected and facilitate the investments.
  • The Siemens Foundations mission and grantmaking are focused on economic, social, and racial justice in the United States.
  • Northern Trust is pleased to support the Siemens Foundation in their mission to support equity for all, said Darius A. Gill, National Practice Executive, Northern Trust Foundation & Institutional Advisors group.

Bay Area Down Payment Assistance Program Still Active in Pandemic

Community development financial institution, Ethical banking, Affordable housing, Economy, Articles
Thursday, January 14, 2021 - 1:09pm

Currently, about a dozen households are shopping for their new home.

Key Points: 
  • Currently, about a dozen households are shopping for their new home.
  • "Everyone we've helped buy a home have told us how grateful they are to have a home of their own during the pandemic," said Adria Quinones-Masur, Housing Trust's Director of Homebuyer Programs.
  • Housing Trust Silicon Valley is a nonprofit community loan fund that works to improve the quality of life in the greater Bay Area by increasing affordable housing opportunities.
  • It is the first nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) to receive a Standard & Poor's rating, AA-.

Ping An Uses Artificial Intelligence to Drive New ESG Investment Strategies

Ethical investment, Finance, Money, Ethical banking, Environmentalism, Economy, Governance, Environmental, social and corporate governance, ESG, ESG Quant, RepRisk
Thursday, January 14, 2021 - 7:16am

The investment strategies detailed in the report, "Applications of Ping An CN-ESG Data and Framework in Quantitative Investment Strategy", use the proprietary CN-ESG database and scoring framework developed by the Ping An Group.

Key Points: 
  • The investment strategies detailed in the report, "Applications of Ping An CN-ESG Data and Framework in Quantitative Investment Strategy", use the proprietary CN-ESG database and scoring framework developed by the Ping An Group.
  • Based on CN-ESG data, PADERC constructed four types of ESG investment strategies that use artificial intelligence (AI) to balance excess investment returns and ESG investment targets:
    1) Ping An AI-ESG Selected 100 Strategy: This positive screening strategy selects companies with the highest ESG scores.
  • The CSI 300 ESG Low Volatility Index reinforces the stability features of ESG investment in both the short and long term.
  • This type of index enhancement strategy based on ESG factors could help drive an increase in the scale of ESG investing.

Ping An Uses Artificial Intelligence to Drive New ESG Investment Strategies

Ethical investment, Finance, Money, Ethical banking, Environmentalism, Economy, Governance, Environmental, social and corporate governance, ESG, ESG Quant, RepRisk
Thursday, January 14, 2021 - 7:00am

The investment strategies detailed in the report, "Applications of Ping An CN-ESG Data and Framework in Quantitative Investment Strategy", use the proprietary CN-ESG database and scoring framework developed by the Ping An Group.

Key Points: 
  • The investment strategies detailed in the report, "Applications of Ping An CN-ESG Data and Framework in Quantitative Investment Strategy", use the proprietary CN-ESG database and scoring framework developed by the Ping An Group.
  • Based on CN-ESG data, PADERC constructed four types of ESG investment strategies that use artificial intelligence (AI) to balance excess investment returns and ESG investment targets:
    1) Ping An AI-ESG Selected 100 Strategy: This positive screening strategy selects companies with the highest ESG scores.
  • The CSI 300 ESG Low Volatility Index reinforces the stability features of ESG investment in both the short and long term.
  • This type of index enhancement strategy based on ESG factors could help drive an increase in the scale of ESG investing.

DGAP-News: ENCAVIS AG improves ISS ESG rating

Ethical investment, Environmentalism, Ethical banking, Governance, Articles, Finance, Money, Environmental, social and corporate governance, ESG, DAX, RepRisk
Thursday, January 14, 2021 - 6:03am

Hamburg, January 14, 2021 - The SDAX-listed wind and solar park operator Encavis AG (ISIN: DE0006095003, Prime Standard, ticker symbol: ECV) was able to further improve its rating from the renowned rating agency ISS ESG within the Prime status.

Key Points: 
  • Hamburg, January 14, 2021 - The SDAX-listed wind and solar park operator Encavis AG (ISIN: DE0006095003, Prime Standard, ticker symbol: ECV) was able to further improve its rating from the renowned rating agency ISS ESG within the Prime status.
  • The ISS ESG rating evaluates the sustainability performance of companies and has a best-in-class approach, in which also industry-specific rating criteria are - with approximately one third - included in the evaluation.
  • Encavis AG (Prime Standard; ISIN: DE0006095003 / WKN: 609500) is a producer of electricity from renewable energies listed on the SDAX of Deutsche Brse AG.
  • Encavis AG's environmental, social and governance performance has been awarded an "A" level by two of the world's leading ESG research and rating agencies MSCI ESG Ratings as well as a "Prime" corporate ESG performance by ISS ESG.

Castle Hall Issues ESG Due Diligence White Paper for Investors, Highlighting ESG Lessons From 2020

Other Professional Services, Software, Finance, Consulting, Data management, Professional services, Technology, Other Technology, Ethical investment, Articles, Finance, Money, Ethical banking, Environmental, social and corporate governance, Environmentalism, Governance, Due diligence, RepRisk, Responsible Research
Wednesday, January 13, 2021 - 4:11pm

Castle Hall, the Due Diligence Company, today issued a new white paper outlining lessons from 2020 across the landscape of ESG investing.

Key Points: 
  • Castle Hall, the Due Diligence Company, today issued a new white paper outlining lessons from 2020 across the landscape of ESG investing.
  • As a result, effective ESG due diligence has become much more important at every stage in the institutional investment decision making process.
  • Castle Halls white paper can be downloaded from esgdiligence.com , Castle Halls dedicated ESG website.
  • Castle Hall Diligence helps investors worldwide manage the operational, ESG, cyber and investment risks of asset managers.

Verdantix Expands ESG And Sustainability Research To Cover Tech, Data And Consulting Markets

Other Manufacturing, Technology, Consulting, Other Energy, Professional services, Manufacturing, Software, Energy, Data management, Finance, Ethical investment, Money, Economy, Ethical banking, Environmentalism, Governance, ESG, Environmental, social and corporate governance, Responsible Research
Tuesday, January 12, 2021 - 12:26pm

To provide comprehensive coverage of the rapidly evolving ESG and sustainability market, independent research and advisory firm Verdantix has launched an expanded ESG and sustainability research practice.

Key Points: 
  • To provide comprehensive coverage of the rapidly evolving ESG and sustainability market, independent research and advisory firm Verdantix has launched an expanded ESG and sustainability research practice.
  • Founded in 2008 with a focus on climate change, energy efficiency and sustainability markets, the Verdantix team have more than a decade of experience assessing the market opportunity for ESG and sustainability technology solutions, data propositions and consulting services.
  • In 2020 investors grew their commitment to ESG businesses and in 2021 the corporate world will need to catch up with these new ESG demands commented Verdantix CEO, David Metcalfe.
  • Verdantix ESG and sustainability research will cover four segments:
    ESG products and services targeted at financial markets participants including asset owners, asset managers and alternative investors
    Climate change, ESG and sustainability consulting across management, technical and investment markets
    Digital technologies that enable corporate sustainability disclosures, risk management and performance improvement
    To succeed in 2021 participants in the ESG and sustainability market need hard data on customer demand stated Verdantix Global Head of Research, Rodolphe dArjuzon.

SBA Re-Opens PPP to Community Financial Institutions First

Ethical banking, Financial services, Economy, Community development financial institution, Paycheck Protection Program, Microcredit, Finance
Monday, January 11, 2021 - 8:29pm

SBA is continuing its dedicated commitment to underserved small businesses and to addressing potential access to capital barriers by initially granting PPP access exclusively to community financial institutions (CFIs) that typically serve these concerns.

Key Points: 
  • SBA is continuing its dedicated commitment to underserved small businesses and to addressing potential access to capital barriers by initially granting PPP access exclusively to community financial institutions (CFIs) that typically serve these concerns.
  • When the PPP loan portal re-opened today, it initially accepted First Draw PPP loan applications from participating CFIs, which include Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), Certified Development Companies (CDCs) and Microloan Intermediaries.
  • A First Draw PPP loan is for those borrowers who have yet to receive a PPP loan before the program closed in August 2020.
  • On Jan. 13, 2021, participating CFIs may begin submitting application information to SBA for Second Draw PPP loans.

BMO Global Asset Management Launches MyESG™ to Help Align Investments and Beliefs

Ethical investment, Ethical banking, Environmental, social and corporate governance, Environmentalism, Governance, Articles, GAM, Policy
Monday, January 11, 2021 - 2:25pm

TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2021 /CNW/ - BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM) has launched MyESGTM an online tool to help advisors and individual investors better understand ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investing preferences.MyESGTMuses data collected through a BMO GAM survey to help guide the discussion between investors and advisors.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2021 /CNW/ - BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM) has launched MyESGTM an online tool to help advisors and individual investors better understand ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investing preferences.MyESGTMuses data collected through a BMO GAM survey to help guide the discussion between investors and advisors.
  • The BMO GAM survey, conducted in conjunction with DCIIA Retirement Center,found four distinct ESG investing personalities:
    ESG Motivated (22 per cent) Does not separate belief from investment decisions.
  • Advisors can start discussions with investors citing examples of where material ESG considerations impacted a company's performance
    "When it comes to ESG investing, there is not a one-size-fits-all conversation for advisors and investors," said Kristi Mitchem, CEO, BMO Global Asset Management.
  • "By using these personas, we are looking to deepen the conversation and close the gap between ESG beliefs and investing habits.