“Every client deserves the right to invest according to their values.” This is a quote from one of our guests, Mark Reifer. He's a financial advisor, and certified kingdom advisor (CKA), with a long history of managing portfolios and experience in biblically responsible investing. He emphasizes the importance of asset allocation, strategy, and moral screening in portfolio management.
Along with Mark, we are joined by Ben Malick: A chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified kingdom advisor (CKA), Ben focuses on building biblically responsible portfolios under Bright Portfolios, which balance good returns with ethical investments.
In this episode, we dive into what kind of companies we are looking to include and which ones we want to exclude and why., The main focus is on finding companies that are "doing good" by treating employees, customers, and communities well, while also delivering positive products and services.
The goal is to invest in businesses that are ethically responsible, avoid exploiting people or profiting from harmful practices like addiction, and align with values like loving your neighbor. The process for selecting companies to invest in focuses on three key criteria: products, processes, and priorities.
1. We assess whether the products or services a company offers are morally sound. For example, they avoid companies involved in pornography, even if it's just a small part of their business.
2. Then, we evaluate how the company treats its employees and suppliers, considering ethical business practices.
3. Finally, we examine the company's charitable activities and overall stance in the marketplace.
A scoring system is used to evaluate companies based on these factors, aiming to find businesses that align with ethical standards. While the process is selective, it still results in a diversified portfolio, providing ample diversification while ensuring that investors can feel confident about the companies they own.
The conversation also highlights the importance of "good returns", not only in terms of financial performance but also in the peace of mind investors get from knowing their investments align with their values. Contrary to common misconceptions, values-based investing does not sacrifice returns. Third-party studies on faith-driven and socially responsible investing show that applying a values overlay can enhance performance, rather than detract from it. Ethical investing can be both financially rewarding and aligned with personal values.
Have questions about Biblically Responsible Investing? Or, would you like to speak to one of our financial advisors about ethical investing?
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