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There is, without a doubt, a growing trend for investors (and consumers) to care about the impact they’re having on the world. Alongside this, there is an inevitable consequence. If we all care more about where our money goes, investing in ethical companies becomes not just an important moral choice but potentially a financially wise one, too.
A financial advisor who specializes in Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) and prioritizes Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors can help you be a more informed and educated investor.
You’ll likely find dozens of financial advisors in your community well-suited to help you reach your money goals with a personalized plan. But it may be more difficult to find a socially responsible financial advisor knowledgeable in applying SRI and ESG principles to build an investment portfolio aligned with both your interests and desired outcomes.
Fortunately, many financial advisors offer virtual services so you can meet online no matter where you (or they) live. This means you can choose to hire a financial advisor who lives hundreds of miles away if you decide their knowledge about SRI and ESG investing could help you achieve better outcomes.
You’ll also find an increasing number of financial advisors pursuing specialized education to demonstrate their knowledge of SRI and ESG investing, for example, the Chartered SRI Counselor (CSRIC) designation.
👨💻 Smart Money Insights for ESG Investors
This page is organized into sections to help you quickly find the information you need and get answers to your questions:
- Q&A with Financial Advisors Specializing in ESG Investing
- Get Answers to Your Questions About ESG Investing
- Browse Related Articles
– Financial Advisors Specializing in ESG Investing –
Three Questions with Michael Reynolds
We asked Indianapolis-based financial advisor and ESG investing specialist Michael Reynolds to answer three questions we often hear from investors interested in SRI and ESG investing.
Q: What free tools and online resources do you recommend to people interested in learning more about ESG investing?
Michael: Some of the tools I really like for evaluating ESG investments include:
- https://www.asyousow.org/invest-your-values
- https://charts.ussif.org/mfpc/
- https://www.msci.com/our-solutions/esg-investing/esg-fund-ratings
- US SIF also has a great consumer-focused course at:
https://www.ussif.org/courses
Q: Do socially conscious investors risk underperforming the markets by excluding certain types of companies and asset classes from their portfolios?
Michael: There is no evidence that ESG investing sacrifices performance. In fact, it’s not uncommon for ESG funds to outperform their peers. ESG is a toolkit for managing risk, which is generally seen as a positive thing. This can lead to both a positive impact on the world and a positive impact on performance.
Get to Know Michael:
View Michael’s profile page on Wealthtender or visit his website to learn more.
Are you a financial advisor who specializes in SRI & ESG?
✅ Get added as an SRI & ESG specialist in our next monthly update (Subject to availability and qualification criteria.)
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✅ Or request more information by email:
Q: What questions should people interested in ESG investing ask before hiring a financial advisor?
Michael: I would suggest that investors ask why the financial is focused on ESG. Is it an “add-on” to satisfy certain clients? Or is ESG investing (and Socially Responsible Investment) core to their philosophy? This area is very complex and nuanced, and it takes a dedicated focus to really serve clients who care about ESG.
Q: How does the knowledge you gained by earning the CSRIC designation help you serve clients who share your passion for sustainable investing?
Michael: The CSRIC® designation has been instrumental in helping me serve my clients. It helped me go deeper into this space and understand the nuances and history behind ESG. It has helped me make better decisions with my clients and better align their investments.
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About the Author
Brian Thorp
Founder and CEO, Wealthtender
Brian and his wife live in Texas, enjoying the diversity of Houston and the vibrancy of Austin.
With over 25 years in the financial services industry, Brian is applying his experience and passion at Wealthtender to help more people enjoy life with less money stress.
To make Wealthtender free for readers, we earn money from advertisers, including financial professionals and firms that pay to be featured. This creates a conflict of interest when we favor their promotion over others. Read our editorial policy and terms of service to learn more. Wealthtender is not a client of these financial services providers.
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