I am proud to say that I was born in Kelowna and was ecstatic to move back here 2 years ago after being in Edmonton for the past decade. Not that I dislike Edmonton, but I love the Okanagan and all it has to offer during all 4 seasons. Living my early years on an orchard in Rutland provided me with many great experiences with nature. Blossoms in spring, fresh fruit off the tree in summer, and Mom’s canning in the fall. So when I had the opportunity to return to the Okanagan, I jumped at it.
It was about that time that I joined Investors Group. I had spent the past decade as a business analyst helping dealers in the automotive industry grow their business and increase profits. While satisfying, I had a desire to do this for individuals as opposed to businesses as I thought it would be more gratifying. I was right!
Whether it be helping a young family balance RRSPs, RESPs, and insurance planning or protecting the assets of elderly clients through tax planning and estate planning, it is all extremely rewarding. I am fortunate to be with a company that offers all of those services, has a long history (83 years!), and is a leader in financial planning in Canada.
Part of being a leader is providing options for investors. On January 12, 1987, Investors Group offered one of the first Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) funds when they introduced the Summa fund. Summa now has a long history of strong returns and can complement any portfolio.
The most common question I get asked is How do the companies get selected? First, there is “negative screening” – excludes companies that do not pass initial screening such as alcohol, cigarettes, and weapons. Secondly, there is “best of breed” which means that the company has higher than average standards in their industry. This would mean low polluters, companies with strong sustainability programs, etc. Finally, there is engagement. The fund managers speak directly to the companies about their practices. When all 3 of these criteria are met, then the company is considered for the fund. Of course, a good financial plan is expected, too! If you look at the historical returns of the fund, you don’t have to sacrifice performance to invest in an SRI fund. Investors Group now has 8 SRI funds, including a Global Environmental Leaders Fund, and last year we added an SRI portfolio which now means you can build your entire portfolio around Socially Responsible Investing.
This is my first contribution to the blog but there is plenty more to share. If anyone has questions they may contact me at (250) 762-3329.
