ING to Offer Socially Responsible Asset Allocation Portfolios

The ESG Managers Portfolios represent a one-stop solution for capturing returns from socially responsible investments. They consist of four funds that follow a sustainable approach: ESG Managers Aggressive Growth Portfolio, ESG Managers Growth Portfolio, ESG Managers Moderate Portfolio, and ESG Managers Conservative Portfolio.

According to a press release, the portfolios were launched in 2010 by Pax World Management LLC, and are sub-advised by Morningstar Associates, LLC. The ESG Managers Portfolios are a series of non-proprietary, multi-manager risk-based asset allocation funds that integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into their investment analysis and decision making.

The ESG Manager Portfolios were previously available only through financial advisers; ING says it is the first DC plan provider to offer these funds to workplace retirement plan investors in their education, government, healthcare and not-for-profit market segments.

“Our plan sponsors have told us they want more socially responsible investment choices for their employees.  At the same time, there is a growing need for greater asset-allocation and risk diversification features,” said Brian Comer, president of Public Markets for ING U.S. Retirement Services, in the announcement.  “Working with Pax and Morningstar to deliver this unique offering addresses both requirements.  We’re making it easier to select a socially responsible investment while providing a multi-managed, ‘fund-of-funds’ approach to help diversify risk.”

-Sara Kelly