Scrutiny urged of fintech on ESG grounds
Superannuation fund investors have been told that recent financial services technology developments such as blockchain need to be closely scrutinised on responsible investment grounds.
United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) managing director, Fiona Reynolds pointed to fintech advancements as requiring scrutiny on the basis of concerns around cyber security.
She said robotics also needed to be scrutinised.
However, Reynolds, a former Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees chief executive, said executive remuneration remained at the forefront with respect to institutional investment concern, and the need to link executive pay to environmentally sustainable guidelines.
She said there was also significant support for the adoption of pay ratio regimes under which the salary packages of CEOs were weighed against those of other executives within a firm which were in turn weighed against the salaries of ordinary staff within a company.
Reynolds said it was all about disclosure and superannuation fund investors were in a position to press these issues.
Recommended for you
AMP is to launch a digital advice service to provide retirement advice to members of its AMP Super Fund, in partnership with Bravura Solutions.
Unveiling its performance for the calendar year 2024, AMP has noted a “careful” investment in bitcoin futures proved beneficial for its superannuation members.
SuperRatings has shared the median estimated return for balanced superannuation funds for the calendar year 2024, finding the year achieved “strong and consistent positive” returns.
The second tranche of DBFO reforms has received strong support from superannuation funds and insurers, with a new class of advisers aimed to support Australians with their retirement planning.
