Several digital platforms are filling a void left by advisers by offering clients the opportunity to back their values with their investments.
The funds provide donors an immediate tax deduction and an opportunity to guide the funds' investments and their eventual dispersal to charities.
Acquisition of $12.3B social investment manager marks big step into the ESG market.
The ratings cover about 20,000 mutual funds which span a broad spectrum of both ESG-themed and traditional funds
Investors seeking to align values and money turn out to be great advisory customers.
New guidance amends old rules that had a "chilling effect" on ESG fund use in ERISA plans.
The best performing fund was iPath's exchange-traded note (OIL), which pumped out a cumulative 81.9% gain.
While investment crowdfunding is a trendy way to raise funds for companies, advisers should inform clients of the caveats
<i>Breakfast with Benjamin</i> SunEdison's collapse shows that advisers should understand the steep side of the mountain renewable energy is trying to climb.
Investing strategies focused on environmental, social and corporate governance causes continue to gain momentum, even if they're not mainstream just yet. </br><b><i>(Related: <a href="//www.investmentnews.com/article/20160306/FREE/160309952/the-top-performing-socially-conscious-funds"" target=""_blank"" rel="noopener noreferrer">The top-performing socially conscious funds</a>)</b></i>
A look at the ESG funds that have performed the best as socially responsible investing has grown in popularity.
<i>Breakfast with Benjamin</i> There's a new low-minimum IRA targeted to young investors who want their money invested in companies dedicated to sustainability.
Investors can see how funds rate when it comes to sustainability factors. But public access could mean more pressure and focus on ESG issues from clients.
Scoring funds for social, environmental and governance factors feeds a growing investor appetite
Plan advisers might not fully understand the rules regarding ESG investments
Some highs and lows, swings and misses
<i>Breakfast with Benjamin</i>: Security guard/waiter/travel agent posing as a hedge fund manager has been convicted of stealing more than $800,000 from 17 investors.
New zero-to-100 rating would indicate the environmental, social and governance impact of a fund's holdings.
