Desjardins Group's portfolio manager becomes a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment supported by the United Nations Français
LÉVIS, QC, May 4, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Desjardins Group's portfolio manager, Desjardins Global Asset Management (DGAM), is making its commitment to responsible investment official by becoming a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), an international group of asset holders, portfolio managers and service providers committed to integrating ESG (environmental, social and governance) factors in their investment decisions.
The PRI initiative, launched in 2006 and supported by the United Nations, has nearly 1,700 signatories from over 50 countries, representing US$62 trillion in assets under management.
DGAM, which has been serving institutional and private clients since 2003, began to incorporate ESG strategies into its portfolio management approach in 2012, with help from providers such as MSCI. "By factoring in ESG criteria, we're able to go beyond the traditional financial analysis of the companies we invest in. Adopting the PRI shows that we're committed to growing our responsible investment expertise," explains Nicolas Richard, DGAM's Chief Operating Officer. "Since November 2016, we have a team of responsible investment specialists precisely to make headway in this area."
DGAM, which is a completely separate entity from Desjardins, manages over $55 billion in assets for Desjardins Financial Security, Desjardins General Insurance and the Desjardins Group Pension Plan, as well as for a number of external institutional clients. "Our team is made up of experts in fixed income securities, Canadian and global equities, and a number of private investment classes, including real estate," adds Richard, who took the reins at DGAM last October, after having been DGAM's Chief Investment Strategist for 5 years.
About Desjardins Group
Desjardins Group is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada and the sixth largest cooperative financial group in the world, with assets close to $260 billion. It has been rated one of the Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt. To meet the diverse needs of its members and clients, Desjardins offers a full range of products and services to individuals and businesses through its extensive distribution network, online platforms and subsidiaries across Canada. Counted among the world's strongest banks according to The Banker magazine, Desjardins has one of the highest capital ratios and credit ratings in the industry.
SOURCE Desjardins Group
(media inquiries only): Richard Lacasse, spokesperson, Desjardins Group, 418-835-8444 or 1-866-835-8444, ext. 5563163, [email protected]
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