Investing with purpose and feeling

ABN AMRO takes sustainable investing seriously. In 2011, we launched Celsius, one of the first sustainable investment funds for emerging markets. Sustainable innovation in abundance in the emerging markets because countries with specific challenges need to innovate. In China, for instance, there are companies at the forefront of environmental technology, precisely because there is a smog problem there, and in Brazil we invest in fast-growing education companies so that more people gain access to higher education. Celsius also invests a relatively large amount in IT. Taiwan Semiconductor rivals the Dutch ASML in terms of stock market value.

Celsius was awarded 5 ‘globes’ from Morning Star as a reward for its sustainable approach.

The Privium fund was established in 2014 for the alternative segment within a sustainable investment portfolio. High financial returns are not the aim, rather a sustainable impact. ABN AMRO is the investment adviser for Privium.

Privium invests in renewable energy, financial inclusion and ‘cross border’ student loans (for students who cannot get support from their home country or the country they are studying in) in emerging countries.

There is not yet an official benchmark against which we can assess and compare the degree of sustainability of the way in which Privium invests. That is why we have set strict requirements for the returns: at least 2 percentage points higher than the short-term interest rate and a contribution to ABN AMRO’s sustainability strategy and objectives.

Sustainable investing became the norm at ABN AMRO in 2018. We first offer our customers a sustainable investment solution, and only if they think it is not appropriate do we look at other mandates.

As a bank we therefore do not limit ourselves to sustainable investing. For example, we have also introduced a Sustainable Housing Mortgage. We also aren’t just limiting ourselves to our products: all our branches must have an energy label A by 2023, and we ourselves are using products and services that are not harmful to people and the environment.

ABN AMRO MeesPierson, our Private Banking arm, is the first bank in Europe to launch an Impact Mandate. Shares are selected by our experts and not only undergo a sustainability screening, but also undergo an impact screening. When making the selection, we look at turnover in relation to the sustainable development goals (SDG).

In December, together with Aegon Asset Management, we will introduce the ABN AMRO Aegon Global Impact Equities Fund. Companies are included in the fund on the basis of their ESG performance and their positive contribution to society. Companies involved in controversial activities are excluded. This partnership combines two large, distinctive distribution networks.