Furthering their commitment to secure a sustainable future, ICMIF member Securian Financial (USA) and its subsidiary, Securian Asset Management, have signed the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).
PRI signatories are committed to including environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in their investment decision making and ownership. More than 4,000 organisations worldwide—including 700 US asset managers and owners—have signed on to the global effort.
“As a life insurance and financial services company, being there when our customers need us requires responsible investment decisions,” said Warren Zaccaro, Securian Financial Executive Vice President and CFO. “By signing the PRI, we are committing to a greater examination of our investments through an ESG lens, recognising that these factors are increasingly a source of opportunity. We also think this is just the right thing to do as an engaged corporate citizen.”
The PRI’s six investment principles include actions for incorporating ESG issues into investment practice. PRI signatories are required to report annually on their responsible investment efforts, beginning one year after signing.
“We will share our progress as we continue to integrate ESG factors into our strong asset management foundation,” said Sean O’Connell, Securian Asset Management President and CEO and Securian Financial’s Chief Investment Officer.
O’Connell has appointed Erica Bergsland Chief Risk Officer to lead ESG initiatives for Securian Asset Management. Bergsland has been with the firm since 1993 and most recently served as Senior Vice President and Director of Research and Trading.
“We are excited to welcome Securian Financial and Securian Asset Management as PRI signatories,” said Fiona Reynolds, CEO of the PRI. “US life insurers are increasingly recognising the importance of ESG in the investment decision-making process to achieve longer sustainable returns in their portfolios—ultimately benefiting their customers, employees and communities.”
