Socially responsible mutual funds hit the $2.15 trillion mark in 2003.
Recent corporate scandals have given investors a new appreciation for the role corporate
responsibility and ethics play in ensuring a firm’s long-term financial performance.
Community development corporations, credit unions, loan funds and microfinance
institutions, with $535 million under management as of April of 2003, are a green
way for investors to provide capital to low-income people and neighborhoods.
These lending institutions provide mortgage and small-business financing and help
support social and environmental programs.
Shareholder activism has emerged as a new avenue for green consumers to influence the
financial market. The Investor Responsibility Research Center reports that 1,040
shareholder resolutions were filed in 2003; issues from executive compensation to
climate change received increased support over 2002 votes.
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