InLife starts 1st ESG-focused sustainable investment fund

MANILA, Philippines — Insular Life has started its first sustainable investment fund focused on environmental, social and governance (ESG) outcomes.

InLife recently launched its Systematic Global Sustainable Investment Fund (GSIF) that will invest in US multinational BlackRock, a leading asset manager and champion of  ESG’s impact on investments.

InLife chief marketing officer Gae Martinez said the firm’s customers would have the option to invest in a globally diversified portfolio that promotes ESG values.

“Not only will they receive potential payouts, they will also take part in a portfolio with lower carbon intensity for the long term by supporting the growth of these companies,” Martinez said.

Data showed that sustainable investments are seen constituting 21.5 percent of total global assets under management in less than five years as more stakeholders expect companies to play a role in advancing ESG principles.

While the number of ESG strategies is steadily growing in the Philippines, GSIF is the first to offer monthly payouts with yields of up to six percent per annum.

InLife AVP for product development Jose Paolo Puno noted that GSIF is most suited for individuals who believe in ESG, are looking for medium to long-term investment opportunities, with moderate risk profile, and have invested in fixed-income instruments.

An international study showed that ESG factors could contribute to improved financial performance over the long-term.

“We have seen investors put more emphasis on ESG integration into investment management in the past few years, and income funds have seen strong growth in the past five years,” Martinez said.

InLife is the first, largest, and only mutual Filipino-owned life insurance company in the country with an asset base of over P154 billion and net worth of P47.8 billion.