Getting started with investing
Investing is all about trying to get your money working hard so you can do the things that matter most.
What is responsible investing?
Everyone's definition of responsible investing is different. Some people want to avoid doing harm. Others want to avoid industries that don’t align with their values. And some want to use their funds to actively make the world a better place. At the same time, everyone wants a strong return on their investment.
Our responsible investment approach
At ASB, we believe being responsible means two things. First, we invest your money to achieve the best possible financial outcome for you. That could be achieving a strong return, preserving your capital, or a balance of the two. Second, we need to choose investments that are legal and that align to the ethical and environmental values of our community.
To achieve these two priorities, we will use these principles:
Transparency - no surprises in your investments
It's your money, so you need to be able to see where it's invested. If you have fund's in the ASB KiwiSaver Scheme, ASB Investment Funds or ASB Superannuation Master Trust, our online tool can show you where we’ve invested your money.
Integration
We've built responsible investing into our investment beliefs. Our investment beliefs are the principles that guide all our decisions when it comes to investing your money.
This means we incorporate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations into our decision making process.
What does ESG mean?
E is for environmental issues, things such as energy use, waste, pollution and natural resource conservation.
S is for social issues, that’s things like how well a company works with its suppliers, its workers, the community and its other stakeholders.
G is for governance. Good governance includes things like businesses operating in a transparent way using accurate and transparent accounting methods, and giving shareholders the right to vote on important issues.
Exclusion - doing no harm
Responsible investing means bringing together both financial and values based considerations when making investment decisions.
In saying that, we exclude some investments, regardless of their financial performance, based on our exclusion framework. Some of the considerations we take into account when deciding to exclude an investment are:
- If international conventions oppose or New Zealand laws prohibit investment in an industry, such as manufacturers of cluster bombs, land mines or nuclear weapons
- If its activities are opposed to our own purpose and values
- If our peers in New Zealand have excluded an investment or its industry
- If the majority of our customers that we survey have a strong desire not to invest in it or its industry
We currently exclude where possible investments in:
- Tobacco
- Controversial weapons
- Banned civilian firearms
- Fossil fuel producers
- Whale meat processing
Revenue thresholds and specific definition criteria apply to some exclusion categories.
Engagement - actively doing good
When you invest with ASB, our underlying investment managers use your funds to buy shares in different companies.
Those investment managers, such as Blackrock, actively engage with those companies as shareholders.
They vote at shareholder meetings on our behalf, and use those votes to move companies toward more responsible and sustainable practices.
Alternate products - the Positive Impact Funds
It won't always be enough to simply exclude bad companies or vote to improve others. Many people also want us to give preference to investments in companies that are actively improving our world, even if it means accepting different financial outcomes.
We've created two Positive Impact Funds - one for investment by our ASB KiwiSaver Scheme members and another for investment by our ASB Investment Funds customers.
Both funds aim to provide moderate to high returns from a diversified portfolio of investments. The Positive Impact Funds invest with a preference for companies that are making a positive, social or environmental impact, allowing you to align your values with your investment while striving for a long-term financial return.
Find more information on each of the funds and how to join, transfer or invest.
Our commitment to responsible investing
Signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment. This commits us as an organisation to enhancing our responsible investing practices, and contributing to developing a more sustainable global financial system.
Membership with the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA). RIAA is the largest and most active network of people and organisations engaged in responsible, ethical and impact investing across Australia and New Zealand.
More guides on investing with ASB
Choosing where to invest
Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, ASB offers a wide range of investments and resources that you’d expect from a bank that’s committed to helping you find the best solution.
Investment options
If you're an experienced investor, or just starting out, ASB offers a wide range of investment options to suit your individual needs.
What a Wealth Manager can do for you
Recently inherited money, sold a business or have significant savings you'd like to grow further? With such big decisions to make and a lot at stake, you might want to get professional investment advice from an ASB Wealth Manager. Here’s what to expect.
Contact us
Interests in the ASB KiwiSaver Scheme and ASB Investment Funds (Schemes) are issued by ASB Group Investments Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of ASB Bank Limited (ASB). ASB provides administration and distribution services for the Schemes. No person guarantees interests in the Schemes. Interests in the Schemes are not deposits or other liabilities of ASB. They are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of income and principal invested. For more information see the ASB KiwiSaver Scheme Product Disclosure Statement or the ASB Investment Funds Product Disclosure Statement available from this website and the register of offers of financial products at www.disclose-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz (search for ASB).
Interests in the ASB Superannuation Master Trust (Scheme) are issued by Smartshares Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of NZX Limited. Smartshares Limited has delegated to ASB Group Investments Limited (ASBGI), the former manager of the Scheme, certain investment management and administration functions in respect of the Scheme. Over time, Smartshares Limited will assume these functions from ASBGI through a transition process which may take several years. For more information see the ASB Superannuation Master Trust Product Disclosure Statement available from this website and the register of offers of financial products at www.business.govt.nz/disclose (search for ASB Superannuation Master Trust).
