SUSTAINABLE INDICES The combination of Rabobank's expertise in structuringproducts with SAM's in-depth knowledge of sustainability is pretty compelling in talks with Robeco, who have also shown interest in sustainability indexes and themed products. And SAM has also agreed to do some specific research for Rabobank, to build the business case for sustainable investment products, and identify the underlying trends that will determine future cliënt demands. The level of cooperation has been fantastic, Ducros says, and the teams are still identifying new ways to cooperate in the future. "Once we see how successful these products are l'm convinced we'll discuss how we can work together even more effectively." One very positive sign is just how open the collaboration has been, Marritt-Alers says. This is SAM's first large-scale collaboration with a Rabobank business and it's been very much a two- way process, she says. "SAM and GFM were exchanging ideas and making adjustments throughout the process, so the indices are the product of a truly collaborative process." Ducros is confident that SAM and GFM will collaborate in the future. "I have no doubt we'll develop further indices together, and new products based on SAM's existing indices. Flaving this expertise in-house is a real bonus. And it also boosts the Rabobank brand, as it shows that we are committed to sustainability and have the knowledge and expertise to come up with the right products. The demand for sustainable investment is only going to increase." According to recent research, sustainable investing will be mainstream by 2015, accounting for 10 to 15 percent of total global assets under management, or more than USD 26 trillion. "We expect a lot of mainstream asset managers to have incorporated sustainability in their investment behaviour by that point, so it is going to be a very big market," Marritt-Alers says. ISSUE 23 MAY 2UI0 RI WORLD 9

Rabobank Bronnenarchief

blad 'RI World' (EN) | 2010 | | pagina 9