Fintech PR
Manulife Investment Management Shares Analysis and Investment Insights within Natural Capital, TCFD and SRI Reports
TORONTO, Aug. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Manulife Investment Management (Manulife IM), the world’s largest manager of natural capital with over $16 billion in assets under management in timberland and agriculture1, has recently released three reports detailing how it incorporates financially material climate- and nature-related investment considerations into its asset management and portfolio construction capabilities. Interested market participants can use the insights from Manulife IM’s Natural Capital Sustainability report, Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) report and Sustainable and Responsible Investing (SRI) report, for deeper awareness about sustainable investing and to assess various investment risks and opportunities across public and private market asset classes.
The reports highlight Manulife IM’s commitment in seeking to deliver strong long-term investment performance, the importance of natural capital to human health, and the opportunity for timberland and agriculture assets to bring value to portfolios and to the planet. As an example, within its climate and natural capital investment solutions, Manulife IM has a strategy that provides investors with an opportunity to invest in timberlands in a way that creates high integrity carbon credits through enhanced management practices which purposefully add to the stored carbon in the forest.
“We are excited to share these reports with market participants as we believe that climate-related risks and other sustainability factors can have a material effect on long-term financial value and, as a result, on our clients’ investment objectives,” said Paul Lorentz, President & CEO of Manulife IM. “Throughout all of our investment processes, we seek to incorporate all financially material risks, including sustainability factors, as our primary goal is to enhance the returns of the capital we manage on behalf of our clients.”
Manulife IM’s most recent Natural Capital Sustainability report highlights the importance of natural capital to institutional investment portfolios, the dependency the world has on these assets, and how these investments can create value beyond the physical products they generate. Highlights include:
- Manulife IM’s timberland investment properties planted over 50 million seedlings, produced lumber to build more than 100,000 houses, enough fiberwood to make approximately 2.2 million tons of paper, and yielded enough biomass to produce electricity for the equivalent of 1,500 American homes for a year;
- Manulife IM’s integration of regenerative practices across its agriculture portfolio continues to focus on producing more food with a smaller footprint. During 2023, 100% of client properties reported using at least one regenerative practice and 78% of properties use four or more regenerative practices; and
- Progress reports on the firm’s five nature targets, aligned with the Finance for Biodiversity Pledge that are on track to be fulfilled by 2025. The targets include improving collaboration and knowledge sharing on assessment methodologies, incorporating biodiversity into ESG policies, assessing the impact of investments on biodiversity, using science-based targets to improve biodiversity impact, and annual reporting to measure and assess progress toward biodiversity goals.
“Natural capital is not just a concept; it’s a measurable and monetizable reality that has intrinsic value in supporting the global economy,” said Brian Kernohan, Chief Sustainability Officer, Manulife Investment Management. “We believe nature is a mispriced asset that provides true economic and societal value for the benefit of all.”
The latest TCFD report outlines how Manulife IM incorporates climate-related risks and opportunities into investment decisions through appropriate governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets.
Highlights from the TCFD report include:
- 90% of Manulife IM ‘s global real estate equity portfolio earning certification of a green building standard, such as LEED, ENERGY STAR, or BOMA BEST;2
- Manulife IM removing an estimated 1.5 million tons of CO2e from the atmosphere by its managed forests and farms on a five-year rolling average; and
- Manulife IM seeks to increase access to the number and variety of sustainable investing options available to its clients.
Manulife IM’s latest SRI report provides insight into the firm’s approach to sustainable investing, including its governance, stewardship information, its scorecard from the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), and other sustainability milestones and outcomes.
Highlights from the SRI report this year include the firm’s:
- Publication of its inaugural nature report aligned with the recommendations of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), outlining the firm’s approach to managing nature-related risks and opportunities in its timberland and agriculture businesses;
- Achievement of a GRESB 5 Star rating for the sixth consecutive year;3
- Formalization of its sustainable investing strategy for its private equity and credit platform, which included establishing near-term priorities and longer-term commitments;
- Development of a firmwide client-directed exclusions framework; and
- Publication of its water statement, which recognizes the fundamental importance of water to human health, livelihoods, ecosystems, the global economy, and the future of asset management.
“As we navigate this dynamic space, our reporting looks to provide comprehensive insights to help drive positive change and foster long-term sustainability through our investment strategies. We’re committed to continue enhancing our reporting so that all our stakeholders can get a clear picture of our efforts to manage climate impact and risk exposures as well as enhance long-term value creation,” concluded Mr. Kernohan.
Please find more information about Manulife IM’s approach to sustainable investing online here: https://www.manulifeim.com/institutional/global/en/sustainability.
About Manulife Investment Management
Manulife Investment Management is the brand for the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation (NYSE: MFC). Our mission is to make decisions easier and lives better by empowering investors for a better tomorrow. Serving more than 19 million individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members, we believe our global reach, complementary businesses, and the strength of our parent company position us to help investors capitalize on today’s emerging global trends. We provide our clients access to public and private investment solutions across equities, fixed income, multi-asset, alternative, and sustainability-linked strategies, such as natural capital, to help them make more informed financial decisions and achieve their investment objectives. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulifeim.com.
It should not be assumed that any ESG or sustainability initiatives, standards, or metrics described herein will apply to each asset in which Manulife Investment Management invests or that any ESG or sustainability initiatives, standards, or metrics described have applied to any individual prior investment of Manulife Investment Management. There is no guarantee that any initiatives or anticipated developments described herein will ultimately be successful or achieve anticipated outcomes. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors are only some of many considerations that Manulife Investment Management takes into account when making investment decisions, and other considerations can be expected in certain circumstances to outweigh ESG considerations. Any ESG or sustainability initiatives described will be implemented with respect to a portfolio investment solely to the extent Manulife Investment Management determines such initiative is consistent with its broader investment goals. Individual portfolio management teams may hold different views and make different investment decisions for different clients, and views may change over time. Investors should always read the current investment services information or fund offering documents before deciding to select an investment manager or to invest in a fund.
|
1. |
IPE research, as of February 2024. Ranking is based on total natural capital assets under management (AUM), which includes forestry/timberland and agriculture/farmland AUM. Firms were asked to provide AUM and the as of dates vary from 12/31/2022 to 12/31/2023. |
|
2. |
Based on square footage of the gross floor area or building size, of properties in the global portfolio. Totals from different certification standards do not sum as properties with multiple certifications are only counted once. Certifications are provided by LEED, ENERGY STAR Certification, BOMA BEST, GBCA Green Star, BCA Green Mark, NABERS, CASBEE, BOMA 360, and Fitwel. |
|
3. |
Based on GRESB results released October 2023 that cover the 2022 time period. Manulife Investment Management paid a per fund submission fee, per year. The GRESB Rating is an overall measure of how well sustainability issues are integrated into the management and practices of companies and funds. For more information about the GRESB Real Estate Assessment, please see gresb.com/nl-en/real-estate-assessment. |
Asia:
Carl Wong
[email protected]
North America and Europe:
Elizabeth Bartlett
[email protected]
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/manulife-investment-management-shares-analysis-and-investment-insights-within-natural-capital-tcfd-and-sri-reports-302229433.html
Fintech PR
Nium Expands Across Australia and New Zealand, Driven by Increased Adoption from Financial Institutions and Spend Management Platforms
Spend management platform, RedOwl, joins as latest partner;
Nium has seen monthly payment volume grow by 3X over the last twelve months, in the Oceania region
SYDNEY, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Nium, the global leader in real-time cross-border payments, today announced that its monthly payment volume grew by 3X in Oceania, over the last year. This growth has been driven by a surge in adoption from financial institutions and spend management platforms, with AI platform, RedOwl, being the latest partner to join the Nium network. RedOwl’s immediate goal is to bring AI to corporate cards, joining spend management category leaders Weel and Budgetly, who have turned to Nium for white-label card issuing and cross-border payouts.
RedOwl is bringing the power of AI into payment rails, championing intelligence and real-time decision making when it comes to card related payments. “We chose Nium because of their unparalleled infrastructure and expertise in powering modern payments. Their solutions allow us to enter the market faster and deliver greater value to our customers,” said Jitto Arulampalam, Co-founder and CEO at RedOwl.
Budgetly has been a Nium customer since 2020. The company tapped Nium to provide more convenience and control to its SME clientele through the provision of pre-paid cards for expense management processes. “Partnering with Nium has been a game-changer for Budgetly,” said Simon Lenoir, CEO and Founding Director at Budgetly. “Through Nium, we recently launched our international bill payment solution, offering our customers the ability to make payments effortlessly via one portal. This partnership has allowed us to scale rapidly and offer seamless experiences for our customers.”
“The spend management industry is booming in Australia, with businesses increasingly turning to Nium for its white-label card issuing and cross-border payment solutions,” said Anupam Pahuja, EVP and GM for APAC, Middle East, and Africa at Nium. “Our platform solves complex payment problems across a wide range of verticals, including travel, payroll, insurance, and e-commerce. Our card issuance solution has already issued over 75 million cards globally, supporting major global brands. This, along with Nium’s extensive geographical coverage and B2B infrastructure focus, positions the company as a critical enabler for businesses looking to scale in Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.”
In addition to its success in Australia, Nium recently achieved another critical milestone by registering as a Financial Service Provider in New Zealand. This pivotal step marks the company’s entry into the dynamic financial landscape of New Zealand, allowing it to extend its comprehensive suite of financial solutions to local businesses. Nium expects that its offerings will range from virtual accounts and global payouts to debit and prepaid cards, enabling businesses to streamline operations and improve their financial efficiency.
“Becoming a registered Financial Service Provider in New Zealand reaffirms our commitment to delivering innovative financial solutions globally,” continued Pahuja. “Our presence in New Zealand, alongside our established operations in Australia, positions us as a key player in the region’s financial ecosystem, empowering businesses to thrive through our technology.”
Since its founding ten years ago, Nium has raised over $300 million USD (up to Series E). In October 2023, Nium celebrated its Centaur status, reaching $100 million USD in aggregate net revenue — a milestone achieved by only 1% of startups globally. This achievement underscores Niums rapid growth and leadership in enabling seamless global financial services for businesses.
About Nium
Nium, the global leader in real-time, cross-border payments, was founded on the mission to deliver the global payments infrastructure of tomorrow, today. With the onset of the global economy, its payments infrastructure is shaping how banks, fintechs, and businesses everywhere collect, convert, and disburse funds instantly across borders. Its payout network supports 100 currencies and spans 220+ markets, 100 of which in real-time. Funds can be disbursed to accounts, wallets, and cards and collected locally in 40 markets. Nium’s growing card issuance business is already available in 34 countries. Nium holds regulatory licenses and authorizations in more than 40 countries, enabling seamless onboarding, rapid integration, and compliance – independent of geography. The company is co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore.
Media contacts:
Anjali DMello,
+6591812542,
[email protected]
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1678669/4916279/Nium_Logo.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nium-expands-across-australia-and-new-zealand-driven-by-increased-adoption-from-financial-institutions-and-spend-management-platforms-302250573.html
ANAHEIM, Calif., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Fractal EMS Inc. (“Fractal”), a leading provider of advanced solar and storage controls, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Gold Electronic Equipment Inc. (“Gold”), a leading high-tech company specializing in R&D, active balancing technology and manufacturing of the battery management system (BMS). A signing ceremony and celebration was held on September 9th at the RE+ clean energy conference in Anaheim, California. The new partnership will provide a cybersecure American BMS to customers worldwide (“Fractal BMS”).
The Fractal BMS provides a 3-level BMS architecture (module, rack and system). The design of the Fractal BMS has been finalized, featuring an American-sourced chip, printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), and cybersecurity, ensuring compliance with U.S. policies for sourcing and critical infrastructure protection. The Fractal BMS has the option to provide active cell balancing to maximize each battery cell’s useful capacity and life.
“Other companies proposing an American BMS have not addressed the cybersecurity concerns of the BMS. Some companies are licensing a foreign BMS or only providing a top-level device, neither of which cure cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities. We are thrilled to collaborate with Gold to bring this advanced American BMS to the market. This partnership underscores our commitment to innovation, security, and supporting American technology,” said Daniel Crotzer, CEO at Fractal EMS.
Fractal BMS is scheduled for UL testing in late October 2024 and aims to become the gold standard for BESS deployments to mitigate risks associated with Foreign Entities of Concern (FEOC) and known cyber vulnerabilities in programmable devices. The American BMS will be available to battery manufacturers globally, offering a reliable and secure solution for battery management needs.
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2507751/fractal_ems_Logo.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2507752/Fractal_EMS_Inc.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/gold-and-fractal-ems-announce-a-partnership-for-an-american-bms-302250787.html
NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Ascenda, the global premium rewards network, today announced it has expanded its rewards network in order to enable fintech and banking clients’ customers to redeem their reward points in partnership with Uber. These credits will appear in users’ Uber wallets, and can be applied towards the cost of any of their products.
Uber is available in over 70 countries and powers over 30 million rideshares each day. With a global presence, the ability for millions of customers to earn Uber credits aims to deliver more engagement across Uber Rides, Uber Eats, and any other Uber offering in respective local markets.
“We’re committed to adding value for our users, with ease and flexibility at the forefront of our customer experience,” said Jenna Brown, Head of Uber for Business UK. “Our partnership with Ascenda will help us deliver this value to Uber users worldwide.”
“We’re building the most comprehensive consumer engagement ecosystem in the market,” said Josh Berwitz, CCO of Ascenda. “This exciting partnership with Uber enables us to bring tangible rewards and redemption experiences at scale, delivering compelling value and stronger relationships between our financial service clients, our rewards partners, and consumers.”
About Ascenda
Ascenda powers the growth of financial service brands and merchants globally with premium rewards propositions that accelerate customer acquisition, increase usage, and drive retention. Its best-in-class customer engagement platform is simple to deploy and powered by a unique global network of premium content that unlocks exceptional end-user value.
For more information, please visit ascenda.com.
About Uber
Uber’s mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 49 billion trips later, we’re building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2507669/202409_Ascenda_Uber_2.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1948326/Ascenda_Blue_Logo.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ascenda-partners-with-uber-for-first-of-a-kind-points-redemption-for-consumers-worldwide-302250605.html
-
Fintech PR6 days agoGlobal Health Exhibition Announces Opportunity for Healthcare Startups to secure over 100,000 SAR in Vision NextGen Competition Designed to Fast-Track Health Innovations
-
Fintech PR6 days agoOffice of family of Yerzhan Tatishev fight for justice: Convicted assassin could be released early in Kazakhstan
-
Fintech PR6 days agoOnix Positioned as the Leader in the 2024 SPARK Matrix for Cloud Cost Management & Optimization by QKS Group
-
Fintech PR6 days agoQNB Share Buyback
-
Fintech PR5 days agoMedius Wins 2024 ISV Partner of the Year Award in Sweden
-
Fintech PR6 days agoTrintech Named Workday Innovation Partner and Earns Workday Packaged Solution Badges
-
Fintech PR6 days agoOver 3,000 Business Meetings Mark the Start of BTM 2024
-
Fintech PR6 days agoHTX Ventures and HTX DAO Lead Web3 Investments and Innovation Discussions at Korea Blockchain Week 2024