• What questions should advisors ask regarding sustainable investing?
There are many different SI causes worth focusing on. Many of our clients tend to gravitate toward focusing on what affects them most personally. Some clients may feel more driven to focus on pollution and waste, where others may feel stronger about ethical products and services.
UBS research has also found that overall confusion is holding investors back from getting more involved. “Nine out of 10 sustainable investors say an advisor impacted their decision to invest sustainably,” UBS research shows. That is why we feel it is so important for financial advisors to have conversations with their clients to find out what matters to most to them, then enable them to incorporate those values into their overall financial plan.
UBS recently rolled out a sustainability quiz in partnership with New York Times called “Are you investing in what matters to you?” that we are planning on rolling out to our clients this year. It is available to anyone and a great resource for learning more about sustainable investing.
• Regarding charitable donations, what are the benefits more specifically?
Charitable donations can empower clients to give to causes that they feel strongly about, and the donation may have tax deductible opportunities. It is important to note that charitable donations are a philanthropic endeavor, which greatly differs from sustainable investing.
Jeffrey Swett is a financial advisor in Boston, Mass., with UBS Financial Services Inc., a subsidiary of UBS AG.