BNY Mellon 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 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 $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 Christopher M. Kearns, CEO of BNY Mellon’s Depositary Receipts business. “Sustainalytics’ coverage of international issuers is excellent and widely utilized by institutional shareholders.
“This new offering signals the next phase of BNY Mellon’s unmatched DR advisory service, enabling us to help clients better understand the needs of investors and develop strategies around enhanced corporate disclosure. We want to keep firms at the forefront of these trends,” Kearns added.
“Companies working with BNY Mellon will benefit from a deeper understanding of how investors view their sustainability practices and how they can improve upon them to attract new investments,” said Sustainalytics’ CEO, Michael Jantzi. “We look forward to working closely with BNY Mellon as they break new ground in being the first depositary bank to offer ESG data to its clients.”