• When: 16h25 – 16h55
• FSMA accredited*: 0,5 points bank (B600 014) / 0,5 points insurances (A700 011)
• Register here

Socially responsible investing and financial insurances

As prudent, long term and responsible investors, insurance companies manage their portfolios to generate stable long-term returns and integrate environmental, social and governance factors in their investment process. This allows them to reduce their investment risks, to identify long-term investment opportunities and to support the transition to a more sustainable world. 

Branch 21 and 23 products

Insurance companies offer long term savings and pension products, the so-called Branch 21 products. They also promote unit linked insurance investment products, the so-called Branch 23 products. Both type of products are becoming more and more managed in a sustainable and responsible way.  

In the management of their assets, insurance companies adopt a prudent, long term and responsible approach. They manage their portfolios to generate stable long-term return keeping in mind risk diversification and risk mitigation. Next to financial data, insurance companies also take into account environmental, social and governance factors in their investment process. This allows to mitigate the potential negative impacts of sustainability risk on the return of their portfolios, to identify long term investment opportunities and to support the transition to a more sustainable world. 

Sustainability

The responsible investment approach of insurance companies can be based on sustainable strategies such as exclusions, ESG integrations, engagement and voting, best in class, impact investing. These strategies can be implemented for traditional products as well as for sustainable products. However, for the products with a sustainable label such as the Towards sustainability label, more strict exclusion criteria and extra rules are required in the management of these sustainable funds. 

In 2018, Europe has launched its Sustainable Action Plan to promote the development of a sustainable economy. The financial sector including the insurance companies have a role to play and are highly impacted by the new EU regulations and its ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 as included in the European Green deal and the Climate law adopted in 2021. 

Among others, SFDR (entered into force in March 2021), EU Taxonomy and Mifid II adds duties for the insurance companies towards their clients. 

Speakers FIF 2022

Valérie Gauthier, Head of Market Development Save & Invest

“As Market Development Manager for Savings & Invest, I am responsible for the design and development of financial solutions for our retail customers.  I strive to meet the needs of our clients, respecting their desire to invest in solutions that make sense in terms of sustainability and positive impact, through close collaboration with the CIO department on the underlying funds.”

Bernadette Migisha, SRI Responsible, AG 

“As SRI responsible, I work together with the CIO and the investment teams to develop our responsible investment approach, to fulfil the commitments towards the PRI (Principles for Responsible Investment) and to implement the specific processes and rules in our sustainable products. I collaborate with legal and compliance to make sure that we are compliant with the requirements of national and European regulation and directives. And finally, I communicate about our initiatives and realisations through various channels.” 

*This breakout session is accredited by Edfin vzw. Co-organiser of the Fund Insiders Forum. In order to acquire FSMA credit points, we are required to scan your ticket at the entrance.