Thursday, October 27, 2011

Investors need more information on SRI: survey

A new survey reveals that only 10% of Canadian investors have made a socially responsible investment. Just 15% of those surveyed by Ipsos Reid for Standard Life said they knew a lot or a fair bit about SRI. Four in ten investors reported they had never heard of SRI and 43% said they were aware of SRI, but knew little about it.

"SRIs can become a much more important part of investing for both investors and advisors alike, but first investors must have more information and better accessibility to this type of investment,” says Standard Life’s Anna del Balso. “Advisors who take the time to understand their clients' environmental and social values and provide investment opportunities that align with those beliefs may achieve sales and reputational gains."

Despite the lack of awareness, investors are generally favourable to SRI, the survey suggests. One third said they were very or somewhat interested in SRI and 55% indicated that they would consider SRI if the return was "as good or better" than other investments.

For those already invested in SRI, satisfaction levels are high. Ninety-two per cent said they were satisfied with the performance of their responsible investments and 70% said they were equally satisfied with the performance of their SRIs compared to their other investments.

Eighty per cent of advisors said they were satisfied with the performance of SRIs under their management. The majority of Canadians (54%) who have discussed SRI with their advisor raised the topic themselves.

“Despite not raising the topic of SRIs more spontaneously with investors, once the subject has been raised, in only 15% of instances does it result in a negative commentary from the advisor, and 61% of cases result in both a positive commentary and a recommendation to purchase,” the survey notes.

Ipsos Reid surveyed 1,029 adults and 537 advisors in August and September of 2011.

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