Swiss-based Union Bancaire Privée (UBP) has scored the rating of A+ in the Strategy & Governance class of the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI) 2019 Assessment Report. In other modules the firm performed in line with or above its peers in each module assessed.

The UN PRI was launched in 2006 as the world leading proponent of responsible and sustainable investment. The initiative is aimed at establishing links between investing while keeping in mind environment, social and governance (ESG) issues It also aims to help UN PRI signatories incorporate ESG factors into their investment and ownership decisions.

At June’s Fund Forum in Copenhagen, many of the delegates spoke of the transition from having ESG principles in the investment process as a ‘nice thing to have’ to now being core to the investment process. Indeed recent moves from large pension funds have ESG at the heart of their mandates.

The UN PRI initiative works with an international network of signatories to put the six Principles for Responsible Investment into practice. The Principles are:

·  Principle 1: We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.

·  Principle 2: We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.

·  Principle 3: We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.

·  Principle 4: We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry.

·  Principle 5: We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.

·  Principle 6: We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles

UBP has been a signatory of the UN PRI since 2012 and since signing up to the initiative the bank claims to have implemented and strengthened its responsible investment policy and rolled out ESG requirements across its private banking and asset management offering.

Karine Jesiolowski, Head of Responsible Investment for UBP’s Asset Management division, said in a statement “This year’s UN PRI report recognises the steps taken by UBP to strengthen and enhance its ESG approach :across the whole Group. This shows that we have a solid base from which we can continue to promote sustainable investment.”

UBP has assets under management of CHF 134.4 billion.

 Union Bancaire Privée (UBP) has improved its scores in the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI) 2019 Assessment Report, performing in line with or above its peers in each module assessed and achieving the highest rating of A+ in the Strategy & Governance* class.

Launched in 2006, the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI) are the world’s leading proponent of responsible and sustainable investment. This initiative aims to establish links between investing and environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, as well as to help UN PRI signatories incorporate these factors into their investment and ownership decisions. The UN PRI initiative works with an international network of signatories to put the six Principles for Responsible Investment into practice**.

UBP has been a signatory of the UN PRI since 2012, demonstrating its commitment and determination to support responsible investing. Since signing up to the UN PRI, the Bank has implemented and strengthened its Responsible Investment Policy and rolled out ESG requirements across its private banking and asset management offering.

Karine Jesiolowski, Head of Responsible Investment for UBP’s Asset Management division, commented, “This year’s UN PRI report recognises the steps taken by UBP to strengthen and enhance its ESG approach across the whole Group. This shows that we have a solid base from which we can continue to promote sustainable investment.”