July 18, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CBIS is a Catholic investment firm whose mission is to serve Catholic investors who are looking to transform the world. Pursuit of this ambitious goal demands we effectively provide compelling investment opportunities to devoted Catholics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While CBIS, with over four decades of experience responsibly managing Catholic investment assets, might be uniquely prepared for the challenge, a goal of this sort in today\u2019s market requires abundant resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a firm, we have committed to nearly doubling our annual expenditures on the Catholic Responsible Investments (CRI) Team, the largest financial outlay in CBIS\u2019 long history. We are applying resources in a calculated way that acknowledges our future as a global firm serving Catholics around the world. For the first time in CBIS history, we anticipate a good portion of our investment talent, upwards of 40 percent, to be located in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With an informed eye toward cementing our leadership position in Catholic markets for the long term, CBIS has expanded its relationship with Mercer, one of the industry\u2019s largest investment consultants and solutions providers, to help advance our mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Backed by more than 4,700 employees and with over $15 trillion of assets under advisement, Mercer will add significant scale to the CRI Team and immediately provide CBIS team members more time and resources to reinforce the integrity of the CRI process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Mercer will function as an extension of the CBIS Investment Team, CBIS will retain discretion over all investment decisions, including product integrity, portfolio construction, and manager selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CBIS determined that a strategic relationship with one of the industry\u2019s most respected global investment consultants and solutions providers was the best path forward for a firm of its size. Catholic investors in the U.S. and abroad have been seeking more dynamic investment products. Meeting that demand would require more resources and capital than CBIS could generate through growth alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This decision followed extensive analysis of industry trends and discussions with asset management firms, consultants, custody banks, and trust companies. Mercer was best positioned to meet CBIS\u2019 near- and long-term needs. CBIS has utilized Mercer\u2019s research for several years through the MercerInsight platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mercer also has an established practice supporting Catholic values-aligned investors, making this a unique opportunity for both firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CBIS retains full discretion over investment decisions, including product integrity, portfolio construction, and manager selection. Mercer will provide support in solution design and in managing sub-adviser relationships, including manager research, due diligence, and fee negotiation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mercer will be represented on the Catholic Responsible Investments Committee, which will include voting members and subject matter experts from both firms in the U.S. and internationally. The committee will also engage internal and external experts as needed, including the full CRI Team, Mercer asset class specialists, and fund sub-advisers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The relationship does not change CBIS\u2019 role in managing its fund complexes. Instead, Mercer\u2019s resources enhance the CBIS Investment Team\u2019s ability to develop innovative, market-aligned investment strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mercer will add immediate resources and scale. Time-intensive work such as manager research and due diligence has historically consumed a disproportionate share of CBIS resources. Mercer enables the Investment Team to focus on higher-value work, including product integrity, portfolio construction, and manager selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The relationship expands CBIS\u2019 reach and product development capabilities, providing access to a broader range of asset classes and strategies. It also supports CBIS\u2019 plan to build investment talent outside the U.S., including hiring a Europe-based portfolio manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mercer\u2019s operational efficiency and insight into investment processes, systems, contracting, and implementation will strengthen CBIS\u2019 overall capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The added capacity will also boost advocacy efforts. CBIS expects shareholder engagements to grow threefold in the near term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CBIS will be positioned to offer more comprehensive solutions for Catholic investors worldwide. Expansion into non-U.S. markets supports the mission to serve regions where the Catholic Church is growing fastest, particularly the Global South. These markets are currently underserved by the investment community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No. The CRI approach and manager-of-managers philosophy remain unchanged. Mercer\u2019s investment philosophy, including its emphasis on actively managed products, aligns with CBIS\u2019 approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CBIS retains full discretion over all investment decisions. The strategic relationship allows execution across a broader array of asset classes and strategies to meet market demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CBIS expects Mercer\u2019s depth of knowledge and research to enable delivery of a more robust suite of Catholic investment solutions. The relationship is intended to strengthen, not replace, existing client relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your CBIS relationship manager remains your primary contact, and service expectations remain unchanged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CBIS believes the relationship will improve risk-adjusted outcomes, expand product offerings, enhance service, and support long-term growth, all in service of Catholic investors seeking to transform the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Important Information<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Asset allocation does not guarantee against market risk. Catholic Responsible Investment is designed to pursue financial returns while remaining faithful to Roman Catholic teaching and may result in underperformance relative to funds that do not apply such criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Funds are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Company, which is not affiliated with CBIS or Mercer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" July 18, 2024 CBIS is a Catholic investment firm whose mission is to serve Catholic investors who are looking to transform the world. Pursuit of this ambitious goal demands we effectively provide compelling investment opportunities to devoted Catholics. While CBIS, with over four decades of experience responsibly managing Catholic investment assets, might be uniquely prepared […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"gpsa_enabled":false,"gpsa_required_form_ids":[],"gpsa_require_unique_form_submission":false,"gpsa_access_behavior":"show_message","gpsa_form_redirect_path":"","gpsa_requires_access_message":"","gpsa_access":[],"gpsa_content_loading_message":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n