BNY Mellon, a global leader in investment management and investment services, announced that it is teaming with Sustainalytics, a leading provider of environmental, social and governance (ESG) research and analysis, to make available a wide range of ESG data and insight to its depositary receipts (DR) clients. BNY Mellon is the first depositary bank to offer such services to securities issuers
Momentum is growing both from investors and companies to more carefully consider the implications of ESG factors. The number of institutional signatories participating in the United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) Initiative – an international network of investors dedicated to advancing responsible investment practices – grew by 19% last year and now includes more than 1,300 signatories representing over US$45 trillion in assets under management.
To support growing interest in ESG investing, BNY Mellon’s depositary receipts business will offer its clients access to Sustainalytics’ ESG research and ratings, as well as custom benchmark reports that provide a lens through which issuers are viewed by investors. Sustainalytics will also offer clients access to in-house industry analysts who can provide deeper insight on ESG issues.
“More investors are evaluating corporate ESG practices and performance as part of their decision-making process. Through Sustainalytics, we can create an important link to help global firms gain insight into the approaches of investors and asset owners,” said Neil Atkinson, Asia-Pacific head of BNY Mellon’s depositary receipts business. “Sustainalytics’ coverage of international issuers is excellent and widely utilized by institutional shareholders.
