Green is the New Black:
Sustainability in Finance 2012

April 2012

In April the FWA hosted a panel discussion on the benefits, financially and socially, of incorporating sustainable practices into business. The panel covered mission-based lending and investing as well as the benefits of incorporating the principles of ESG (Environment, Social and Corporate Governance) in financial services.

We heard from a group of outstanding specialists: Louise Adamson, a partner at K&L Gates, who discussed the new class B-Corp, which supports general benefits for society as well as for shareholders; Vince Siciliano, President of New Resource Bank who asked “Where does your money sleep?” and “Do you agree with what your financial institution is doing with your money?” illustrating New Resource Bank’s leveraging of sustainable principles to achieve financial as well as socially responsible goals; Kathleen McQuiggan from Pax World, who discussed the impact women leaders (including board members) have on an organization’s bottom line; and R. Paul Herman who spoke about Human Impact Investing, balancing profit with positive human impact when evaluating companies and their investment potential. —Submitted by Malana Moberg