Investing that aligns with your principles

Do your investing goals include support for positive change in the world, as well as financial return? We can help bring value to your values with opportunities to invest using environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles. We call this impact investing.

With your goals in mind, we evaluate ESG investing options for your portfolio with an approach that is:

  • Data-driven. We offer objective, data-driven social impact investing options.

  • Insightful. We provide insights into the rapidly changing ESG investing landscape. 

  • Impactful. We show you the measurable impact of your investments. 

  • Meaningful. We help you discover the impact investment opportunities that connect with you.  

Venn diagram showing two intersecting circles, one representing financial return and the other representing social and environmental benefit. The area where they intersect is labeled impact investing.

Our ESG investing approach

Everyone’s beliefs are different, and our experienced team of impact investment analysts will tailor a portfolio to your unique impact goals. We focus on opportunities to drive measurable change alongside financial return – and since we don’t offer proprietary products, we can recommend what we think are the best options for your needs.

We apply ESG criteria to assess funds across several benchmarks:

  • Environmental: climate change, energy efficiency, pollution, water scarcity, biodiversity

  • Social: human rights, gender and racial diversity, education, labor standards, employee engagement

  • Governance: board composition, executive pay, audit committee, lobbying activities, political contributions

Defense against greenwashing

As interest in social impact investing has grown, so have concerns about “greenwashing” – when investment managers focus on marketing opportunities rather than making investment decisions based on genuine commitment to ESG impacts. 

We’re your first line of defense against greenwashing. We sort through the data to analyze impacts, identify red flags and help ensure the funds we recommend ‘walk the talk’ in adhering to the principles you want to support. Our due diligence focuses on:

  • Benefits. Does the investment generate ESG benefits in addition to financial return? 

  • Significance. How significant are ESG factors to the financial performance? 

  • Effort. Do the results come from ESG efforts or just chance? 

Improved decision-making

Considering ESG impact as part of investment analysis can help improve decision-making around potential risks and opportunities. To support your goals, we’ll customize your portfolio using funds that aim to deliver positive investment returns while addressing social or environmental challenges.

Learn how we build custom portfolios

Accolades

 

U.S. Bank has been recognized as one of the 2024 World’s Most Admired Companies. Our quality of products and services, people management, long-term investment value and social responsibility were ranked at the top of the industry for superregional banks.

 

 

For the 10th consecutive year, U.S. Bank has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices.

Insights from our experts

Market news

Read our up-to-date reports on economic events and news from the markets.

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What is impact investing?

Learn how your personal values can be meaningfully incorporated into your investment strategy.

Read article

What is greenwashing in investing?

Companies worldwide may misrepresent their green credentials to deceive investors and consumers for economic gain or public favor.  

Read article

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Disclosures

Industry executives, directors, and analysts from 660 companies in 29 countries, with revenues of $10 billion or more, were surveyed by Korn Ferry in collaboration with Fortune Magazine. Survey responders rated their industry peers who paid a fee to be considered on nine criteria: management quality, people management, use of corporate assets, financial soundness, investment value, social responsibility, innovation, quality of products/services, and global competitiveness. Rankings were determined by an aggregate of how peers ranked the company in each of the key attribute categories. Companies that scored in the top half of their industry were recognized. Get more detail about the selection methodology.

U.S. Bank named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies®” Ethisphere Institute, February 2024 (also 2015–2023); for more information about the ‘World’s Most Ethical Company’ designation and scoring methodology, please visit www.worldsmostethicalcompanies.com.

“World’s Most Ethical Companies” and “Ethisphere” names and marks are registered trademarks of Ethisphere LLC.

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Investment and insurance products and services including annuities are:
Not a deposit • Not FDIC insured • May lose value • Not bank guaranteed • Not insured by any federal government agency.

U.S. Wealth Management – U.S. Bank is a marketing logo for U.S. Bank.

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U.S. Bank and its representatives do not provide tax or legal advice. Your tax and financial situation is unique. You should consult your tax and/or legal advisor for advice and information concerning your particular situation.

The information provided represents the opinion of U.S. Bank and is not intended to be a forecast of future events or guarantee of future results. It is not intended to provide specific investment advice and should not be construed as an offering of securities or recommendation to invest. Not for use as a primary basis of investment decisions. Not to be construed to meet the needs of any particular investor. Not a representation or solicitation or an offer to sell/buy any security. Investors should consult with their investment professional for advice concerning their particular situation.

U.S. Bank does not offer insurance products but may refer you to an affiliated or third party insurance provider.

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Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) investment strategies limit the types and number of investment opportunities available and, as a result, ESG focused funds may underperform other funds that do not have an ESG focus. ESG investment strategies may result in the funds investing in securities or industry sectors that underperform the market as a whole or underperform other funds screened for ESG standards.