Who is this “ETF iconoclast” in pursuit of socially responsible investing?

Bloomberg Law recently profiled Ethan Powell of ImpactShares. As described by Bloomberg, “he’s setting up funds that eschew popular one-size-fits-all environmental, social and governance (ESG) models for ones that not only are built hand-in-hand with specific charities, but also fork over the bulk of their fees to those organizations.” These are values funds, that, while very niche, have yet to attract sizeable inflows. How niche? The article adds: “Impact Shares and a handful of others want to keep the focus on social responsibility while remaining commercially viable. Issuers are starting targeted funds that fit the zeitgeist; think gay rights in the workplace, help for veterans, women on corporate boards, and so on. UBS Group AG is donating 5 percent of the fee from its InsightShares ETFs, with a minimum floor donation if the funds are slow to catch on.” This strategy sharply contrasts with other strategies that incorporate ESG factors as a hedge against investment risks. Confusion over terminology persists.

Blog Authors

Sara P. Crovitz

Sara Crovitz, most recently Deputy Chief Counsel and Associate Director of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Investment Management, provides counsel on all aspects of investment company and investment adviser regulation. She worked at the SEC for 21 years, including 17 years in the Division of Investment Management focusing on issues under the Investment Company and Investment Advisers Acts of 1940. While in the Division, Sara supervised the provision of significant legal guidance to the investment management industry through no-action and interpretive letters, exemptive applications, IM guidance updates and other written and oral means.

William T. Mandia

William Mandia represents financial institutions and insurers in complex commercial and class action litigation. He regularly defends and advises life insurers, intermediaries, banks, broker-dealers, investment advisers, and other financial services providers in connection with sales practices claims arising from a wide range of financial and life insurance products, including, but not limited to, claims for alleged breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and violations of state consumer protection laws.

Peter M. Hong

Peter Hong uses his many years of service at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to guide clients through the various regulatory requirements involved in the offer of financial services and products. His practice includes the registration and regulation of investment advisers, broker-dealers, commodity trading advisers, commodity pool operators, and introducing brokers under federal and state laws, as well as the formation and ongoing compliance obligations of registered and private investment companies.