By Ron Robins Like their counterparts elsewhere, US bankers and politicians regularly speak untruths. American bankers are unlikely to be truthful if it impacts negatively on the economy, their businesses—and especially their bonuses. And American politicians will rarely be honest if it inflicts damage on their poll numbers. Thus, are we dreaming to expect truthfulness…

By Ron Robins Ethical and socially responsible (SR) investors and funds, through their powerful growing presence, are increasingly succeeding in engaging companies in the process of improving their environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies and actions. And they are proving adept in getting governments and regulatory authorities on their side as well. However, for most…

By Ron Robins Religious and faith groups have huge investment portfolios representing the third largest category of investors globally, says UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. And their investments are increasingly focused on ethical and green investing. Though religion′s main interest is spirituality, we also know it is concerned with ethics, morality and stewardship of our…

By Ron Robins It is strange that many Western charities still invest their funds in companies whose activities create the very difficulties they are trying to alleviate. But such problems can be minimized if charities create well designed ethical investment policies. In a 2009 UK survey, the Charity Project and the Charity Finance Directors Group…

By Ron Robins In most Western countries between 40 to 80 per cent of investors want to invest ‘ethically.′ They desire to make money and create a better society. However, the funds screening investments for ethical conduct usually make up less than 3 per cent of total mutual fund, unit trust, or ETF assets in…

By Ron Robins A proposed new mosque near Ground Zero in New York may symbolize a new berthing for Islamic ideals—and finance—in the heart of arguably the world′s most important financial centre. Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City and majority owner of Bloomberg L.P., the global media colossus, is an adamant supporter of the…