Craig Guillot’s Post

We’re shaping a future where your money does more than just grow — it drives lasting change! Our ESG Summary highlights the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) aspects of Amalgamated Bank. We have a century-long legacy of empowering an impactful today and sustainable tomorrow includes: 📈 Business Impact - Our commitment to impact extends to every product and service we offer, designed to benefit people, planet, and profit. ♻️ Climate Impact - We continue our tradition of environmental leadership by being at the forefront of climate action for the banking community. 🤝🏽 People Impact - Our employees are our greatest asset, and we believe investing in their well-being is essential. The summary offers insights from our outstanding leaders: Priscilla Sims Brown Sabrina S. Ivan Frishberg Tye Graham Full report available via the link🔗 https://lnkd.in/g575WBpK #BankonImpact

What people expect from their financial advisor? A survey by Morningstar reveals that the 3 most important criteria are 1️⃣ Expertise and knowledge in #financialPlanning 2️⃣ Personalized #financialAdvice to meet goals 3️⃣ Ability to understand #riskTolerance The results of this survey echoes countless research from Michael Kitces and Jason Wenk's team at Altruist on Registered Financial Advisors #RIA and the management of their practice. Forming strong and genuine relationships is what gets you the business, but it is not enough. And you would be mistaken to think that your clients need to see eye-to-eye with you on all "cultural values". First and foremost, clients expect advisors to be good at what they are professionally qualified to do. Anecdotally, there is something in this dichotomy that could help understand the US push-back on the #ESG theme, as soon as it was seen as a the expression of a "cultural" agenda, and not solely something that could serve a better long-term performance for firms and therefore investor clients, which it should be. #investmentstrategy #futureofwealth

📈 Embracing an Age of Alternatives 🌐 In the face of market volatility, rising interest rates, and geopolitical uncertainties, the 2024 SS&C Intralinks LP Survey paints a compelling picture of shifting investor sentiments. Following a challenging year for traditional 60/40 portfolios, the survey highlights a notable trend: a surge in investor allocations toward alternative investments, particularly those centered on private markets. ✅ Growing Appetite for Alternatives: Despite the broader economic challenges, only 9% of Limited Partners (LPs) plan to reduce their exposure to alternatives in the next 12 months. 🚀 Increased Allocations: A significant 48% of LPs are planning to increase their exposure to alternative investments, with 34% looking to expand by at least 10%, signaling a robust risk appetite. 💼 Demand for Performance: LPs are sending a clear message to fund managers—while they are eager to invest more, performance expectations are high. Dissatisfaction levels with alternative investment performance have tripled, reaching 23% compared to 8% last year. 🌐 Global Investor Insights: The survey gathered perspectives from 251 LPs globally, with a focus on family office allocators, portfolio and asset managers, pension funds, and wealth managers predominantly from Europe, the Middle East, and North America. 📊 Private Equity Shines: Despite the challenges, private equity stands out as a star performer, with 51% of LPs acknowledging it as the asset class delivering the best risk-adjusted returns. 💳 Rise of Private Credit: While private equity steals the spotlight, LPs see the most opportunity in private credit, with 71% believing that private credit funds will play a significantly greater role in the industry. 🌐 Global Concerns: The survey also sheds light on broader concerns, including the impact of declining private equity valuations (91% expressed concern) and the retreat of banks from lending on buyouts (81% expressed concern). 💻 Tech and ESG in Focus: LPs express concerns about GP technology, especially security and reporting, and are keen on improving ESG investing. 🔄 Continued Evolution: The landscape is dynamic, with LPs considering technology to aggregate data across private markets portfolios (38%) and acknowledging the rise of continuation funds. Conclusion: The 2024 investment landscape appears to usher in an age of alternatives. LPs are keen on maximizing value from alternative investment portfolios, and fund managers must rise to the challenge of delivering strong risk-adjusted returns in an ever-changing environment. hashtag #Investments #PrivateMarkets #AlternativeInvestments #FinancialMarkets #investorsentiment #privateequity #familyoffice #venturecapital

Capital One recently released our latest Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report. It’s an important reminder of how much focus we devote to improving the lives of our customers, associates, and the world around us. Many of the topics in this report (diversity, benefits, community investment, financial health, etc.), they are topics that are a part of my regular routines as a leader. When I see it compiled together into a single report like this one, I can’t help but to feel proud and stop to say, “Wow, we really do a lot.” #ESG #sustainability #business #culture #socialimpact https://lnkd.in/euk7D8MZ

Banks have a major opportunity to address critical issues and expand their business. With 1.5 billion people worldwide lacking access to a bank account and 2.8 billion underbanked, financial inclusion is a pressing concern. Additionally, institutions that perform strongly on ESG metrics generate higher total shareholder return and lower cost of capital. Banks should focus on creating a broad social strategy, assessing performance in key social topics, identifying areas of impact, and tracking and reporting KPIs. #Banks #esg #financialinclusion #socialimpact

Larry Fink's 2023 Annual Chairman's Letter from BlackRock... Emphasizes several key themes relevant to the financial and investment landscapes. In his letter, Fink highlights the significant role of sustainability and the importance of long-term investing. He underscores how BlackRock is committed to helping clients navigate the complexities of the global economy while aligning their investments with sustainable practices. Key Points from Larry Fink's Letter: Sustainability and Climate Risk: Fink reiterates that climate risk is investment risk, and that sustainability should be at the core of investment strategies. BlackRock continues to push for greater transparency and better ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices among companies. Technological Advancements: The letter discusses the role of technology in transforming the financial services industry. Fink points out how innovations, especially in data and AI, are driving efficiencies and enabling better decision-making in investment strategies. Client-Centric Approach: Fink emphasizes BlackRock's commitment to prioritizing clients' needs and delivering value through personalized investment solutions. The firm is focused on helping clients achieve their long-term financial goals, whether it's retirement planning, education funding, or other financial aspirations. Global Impact and Responsibility: Fink highlights BlackRock's global reach and its responsibility to contribute positively to the communities and markets it serves. This includes initiatives in corporate sustainability, ethical business practices, and social impact programs. Economic and Market Insights: The letter provides an analysis of the current economic environment, discussing challenges such as inflation, geopolitical tensions, and market volatility. Fink offers insights into how these factors influence investment strategies and the broader market outlook. Larry Fink's annual letter serves as a strategic guide for investors, emphasizing the importance of sustainability, innovation, and a client-focused approach in the evolving financial landscape. BlackRock's commitment to these principles aims to foster a more resilient and inclusive economic future. For more detailed insights, you can read the full letter: https://lnkd.in/eJzW9qW8 #Sustainability #Investment #Climate #risk #ESG #Practices #Longterm #Technological #Advancements #Finance #BlackRock #global #Impact #Economic #market #insights #Client #centric #solutions #Corporate #Sustainability

Despite recent challenges, the US #wealthmanagement industry is thriving. Key focus: #sustainableinvesting. Millennials value ESG standards, so firms must authentically embrace these principles to attract and retain younger investors: https://bit.ly/3Wn2t81 #investing

Thrilled to join top investors, executives, and policymakers at the Financial Times Moral Money Summit Europe. We discussed key sustainability themes and strategies to build more sustainable and equitable economies. I found particularly interesting the workshop led by Honor Fell Tony Burdon and Simon Mundy on the role of asset owners in fostering sustainable growth. It sparked a lively discussion on how asset owners can contribute to sustainability. One open question stood out: Should asset owners divest from "brown" assets and clean their portfolios, or is it their fiduciary duty to support the transition of these "brown" assets. Another highly valuable session for me was the Workshop led by Sarah Murray with Barbara Jeffery Rachel Plaistowe Lotte Knuckles Griek Integrating Employee Well-being into ESG Strategy. Focusing on employee wellbeing and sustainability as core aspects of corporate strategy not only promotes a healthier workforce and a greener planet but also impacts financial outcomes directly. By reducing healthcare and operational costs, enhancing productivity, and mitigating risks, companies can improve their bottom line. Moreover, such practices boost brand reputation and attract both customers and talent who prioritize corporate responsibility, thereby fostering long-term financial stability. A privilege to have participated in this event and to have gained first-hand insights into the strategies to follow in the race towards sustainability. #iechainofchange #fosterigpositivechange #ftmoralmoneysummiteurope

Discover the most attractive markets with the World Bank's B-Ready Index! 🌍📈 AG Horizon Pvt. Ltd.'s latest blog provides in-depth analysis of the B-Ready Index, helping you evaluate business environments and identify investment opportunities. #BReadyIndex #WorldBank #BusinessEnvironment #InvestmentClimate #GlobalBusiness #EconomicDevelopment #RegulatoryFramework #Infrastructure #AccessToFinance #MarketAnalysis #CountryRisk #BusinessOpportunities #AGHorizon #blogsofAG #weekdayread #aghorizon #Pmc #consulting #advisory #rakeshsharma

#ScienceOfSuitability #13: DON'T confound risk tolerance with sustainable-investing preferences. Understanding an investor's sustainable-investment preferences are a key part of demonstrating the suitability of advice as well as of an investment portfolio. A client's willingness to trade off financial outcomes for social returns should be measured separately from willingness to trade off the chance of lower long-term financial returns for a greater chance of higher long-term financial returns (i.e. Risk Tolerance). Read our wealth manager's guide to optimising client demand for ESG and sustainable-investing for more information now - https://lnkd.in/eK5_zeWz #SustainableInvesting #ESG #BehaviouralFinance #BeFi #FinancialPlanning #FinancialAdvice #WealthManagement