Wespath Update for Friday, September 18, 2015 "25 Years of Direct Impact Investing"

Wespath Update for Friday, September 18, 2015 "25 Years of Direct Impact Investing"
Wespath Investment Management Investment Solutions for United Methodist Organizations
Investment Solutions for United Methodist Organizations
Highlights
August 2015 marked the 25th anniversary of Wespath’s Positive Social Purpose (PSP) Lending Program. Since the PSP Lending Program’s inception in 1990, Wespath has invested approximately $1.9 billion in low- to moderate-income housing, community development projects and microfinance lending opportunities that assist the working poor in developing countries. These loans have helped construct or renovate more than 50,000 affordable housing units across all 50 states and have helped in the development of homeless shelters, health care facilities and community centers. All loans generated by this program must meet strict underwriting criteria. The PSP Lending Program is one of the best performing strategies within the Fixed Income Fund (comprising approximately 8% of the fund) for the 10-year period ended June 30, 2015. For more information on Wespath’s PSP Lending Program click here.
On August 24 stock market indices across the globe experienced significant declines and oil prices dropped to six-year lows. As part of our commitment to keep clients well-informed, Dave Zellner, chief investment officer issued a letter to investors which included his insight into the recent market volatility. To continue to receive timely updates—follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We also encourage you to share our posts with your followers and friends. Kirsty Jenkinson, managing director, Sustainable Investment Strategies and Dave Zellner, chief investment officer attended the PRI in Person conference in London earlier this month. In 2005, Wespath helped co-author (along with 25 other leading international practitioners of responsible investing practices) what eventually became known as the Principles for Responsible Investment. Today, there are more than 1,300 signatories to the initiative, representing approximately $59 trillion in assets. Throughout the conference, signatories were able to participate in a series of interactive meetings addressing “active ownership, ESG integration across the asset classes, and the latest academic research for trustees & asset owners.”
New Clients
During the second quarter the funds managed by Wespath received inflows from the following clients:
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare (Memphis, TN)
The United Methodist Foundation of Greater New Jersey (Ocean, NJ)
Performance Updates
The net-of-fees returns for the Wespath funds for the year-to-date period (ended August 31, 2015) are available here.
On Wednesday, October 21, Wespath will host its “Quarterly Update” webinar at 1:30 p.m. Central time. To register, please click here.
The August Investment Report includes an overview of the markets for the month, information on economic and geopolitical developments that impact the markets, and fund performance data for the month of August, as well as year-to-date.
Staff Additions Mark Warren, CFA joined the Wespath division as manager, public equities. Mark will help the Investment Management team in overseeing the public equity investment program. Juan Lois joined the Wespath division as a research analyst. Juan will help the Sustainable Investment Strategies team ensure that Wespath’s investment program incorporates environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics into the investment process.
Upcoming Events
Wespath will be among the sponsors of:
The 2015 National Association of United Methodist Foundations (NAUMF) National Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, October 12-15. 
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