US SIF Foundation Releases Enhanced "Fundamentals of Sustainable and Impact Investment" Online Training Course

    WASHINGTON, DC, September 06, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The US SIF Foundation's Center for Sustainable Investment Education has launched an updated version of its online course, the Fundamentals of Sustainable and Impact Investment. This course provides financial advisors and other financial professionals with a unique blend of instruction and scenario learning that explains how to talk about sustainable, responsible and impact investing (SRI) with clients, incorporate SRI into investment portfolios and understand the latest trends and research.

Now through the end of September, the course will be offered at a promotional rate of $100 for US SIF members and $150 for non-members by following the prompts at www.ussif.org/courses.

Lisa Woll, CEO of the US SIF Foundation said, "We are delighted to launch the updated Fundamentals of Sustainable and Impact Investment. Research and practical experience tells us that many financial professionals want to know more about sustainable and impact investing, but do not have the tools at their disposal to obtain this expertise. The Fundamentals course allows financial professionals to understand and communicate about sustainable and impact investing options and to be familiar with current trends and research in order to best serve their clients."

"We applaud the US SIF Foundation for their commitment to training and education in the impact investing arena, especially as asset managers continue to expand their platforms," said Kirstin Hill, Managing Director, Strategic Performance Executive for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. "Client demand to align investments with personal values has never been greater, and expanded advisor awareness and understanding is critical to meeting that demand."

George Gay, CFA, AIF and the Chief Executive of First Affirmative Financial Network (FAFN) said, "FAFN has provided sustainable and responsible mutual fund and model portfolio strategies to a network of advisors since 1988. We believe that in order to meet expanding demand, there must be a corresponding growth in the number of financial professionals with expertise in sustainable and impact investment. We welcome the updated Fundamentals of Sustainable and Impact Investment course because it provides practitioners with the on-ramp to SRI."

The Fundamentals course is more comprehensive and user-friendly with an enhanced interface accessible on all browsers and devices. It features fresh and appealing infographics updated with the latest research on the growth of sustainable and impact investing in the United States and around the world. Users will also have access to conclusions of the latest meta-studies of academic and industry literature showing the links between environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and financial performance.

The course offers four modules covering key aspects of sustainable and impact investment:

- Module I: An Overview of Sustainable, Responsible and Impact Investing
- Module II: Approaches to ESG, SRI Portfolio Construction Considerations and Shareowner Advocacy
- Module III: Performance Studies, Fiduciary Standards and Global Trends
- Module IV: Communicating your SRI Expertise with Clients

Fundamentals of Sustainable and Impact Investment qualifies for three CFP Board, CFA Institute, CIMA , CIMC and CPWA continuing education credits.

The US SIF Foundation also offers live versions of the course several times a year. The next opportunity is in San Diego on November 1. More information can be found at www.ussif.org/courses.

The US SIF Foundation's Center for Sustainable Investment Education was created to serve the growing need of investment professionals to gain expertise in the field of sustainable, responsible and impact investment. The Center provides investors, investment advisors, consultants, analysts and other investment professionals with access to high quality education, research and thought leadership on sustainable investment.

In addition to the online and live course, resources available at the Center for Sustainable Investment Education include:

- Fact sheets on the basics of sustainable and responsible investment
- The Report on US Sustainable, Responsible and Impact Investing Trends 2016
- The Impact of Sustainable and Responsible Investment
- Family Offices and Investing for Impact
- Thematic handbooks on how to invest to make impact on climate change, gender lens investing, and addressing corporate money in politics
- Information on community investing for retail and accredited investors

About US SIF

US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment is the leading voice advancing sustainable, responsible and impact investing across all asset classes. Its mission is to rapidly shift investment practices toward sustainability, focusing on long-term investment and the generation of positive social and environmental impacts. US SIF members include investment management and advisory firms, mutual fund companies, research firms, financial planners and advisors, broker-dealers, community investing organizations, nonprofit associations, and pension funds, foundations and other asset owners. US SIF's 8th Annual Conference will be held in Washington, DC from May 30-June 1, 2018.

US SIF is supported in its work by the US SIF Foundation, a 501(C)(3) organization that undertakes educational, research and programmatic activities to advance the mission of US SIF. Learn more at www.ussif.org.

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