Advisory process

In May 2021, sustainability considerations were built into the wealth management advisory process in selected locations. Client advisors can walk a client through a standardized sustainability questionnaire to gain deeper understanding of a client’s motivations and sustainability intent. The questionnaire sets the client’s sustainability preferences and configures a sustainability profile that drives investment solutions and product proposals. Since the second half of 2021, we have been able to offer clients a report with details of the contribution that their portfolio makes towards their sustainability goals upon request.

In June 2021, we completed the rollout of standardized Sustainable Investment Framework and Sustainable Product Classification marketing materials for all applicable investment products. This standardization effort aims to ensure consistent information that accurately conveys the realities of the ESG commitment of the investment product.

These new enhancements should support relationship managers in their efforts to advise and address our clients’ sustainable investment needs and at the same time, help us comply with evolving regulatory requirements, mainly relating to the EU’s Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) ll, which will enter into effect in the second half of 2022.