Socially Responsible Investing

Aligning your investments with your values and global sustainability goals.

What is SRI?

Socially responsible investing (SRI), also known as sustainable, ethical, or impact investing, aims to generate both financial return and positive social/environmental impact. Originating in the 1960s, SRI has evolved to address global issues such as climate change, inequality, and corporate accountability.

Today, it's a growing priority for institutions integrating ESG factors into long-term investment strategies.

Key Considerations

Before choosing an SRI product, investors should assess:

Personal or institutional goals and values
Investment horizon and liquidity needs
Eligibility under the Investment Policy Statement (IPS)

Introducing IMPACT GICs

Developed in partnership with leading Canadian financial institutions, IMPACT GICs are exclusive to the Cash Management Group. They are designed to help public sector and institutional investors align investments with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Why Choose IMPACT GICs?

Negative Screening: Excludes sectors such as fossil fuels, weapons, and tobacco.
Positive Screening: Allocates capital to projects and initiatives supporting at least one of the UN’s 17 SDGs.

Why IMPACT GICs?

Negative Screens

The first and most common approach to socially responsible investing is divestment from industries and entities that create negative consequences for the world around them. This is called a "negative screen"—a commitment to prevent investor capital from being used in activities that conflict with their values.

For example, Canadian investors concerned about climate change should review pooled funds or managed products for fossil fuel exposure. IMPACT GICs are subject to 10 negative screening categories where no lending activity will occur.

Positive Screens

The second approach is the "positive screen"—a proactive commitment to invest in initiatives that further broad social goals. For investors with a broad focus, the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals serve as a framework to guide impactful decision-making.

These goals form the foundation of the IMPACT GIC program. All lending activity is aligned with at least one of these SDGs.

The Cash Management Group is a proud to be a supporting member of the Responsible Investment Association (RIA) since 2015.

The RIA is Canada’s membership association for Responsible Investment. As a member, we believe that the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into the selection of management of investments can provide superior risk adjusted returns and positive societal impact.

The Responsible Investment Association’s purpose is to:

Support the responsible investment activities of its members.
Promote the integration of ESG factors into investment analysis and decision-making processes.
Promote the practice of responsible investing in Canada.