Ethical investments perform best even during the pandemic, says RIAA
Ethical and sustainable investments are the way of the future, according to the Responsible Investment Association of Australia (RIAA).
The group has released new research showing responsible investment funds outperform their mainstream competitors across 1, 3, 5 and 10-year timeframes. This includes analysis of fund stability during the economic disruption caused by COVID-19.
“The pandemic has resulted in significant economic turmoil, severely impacting many people’s livelihoods and financial markets globally. However it’s become clear that responsible investors are ahead of the game,” RIAA chief executive, Simon O’Connor said.
“They are identifying the key themes influencing markets and returns, which helps them to better navigate turbulent times, avoid the biggest risks and capture more opportunities”
The RIAA report assessed Australia’s responsible investment market in 2019. It found over $1 billion in assets under ethical management, which was a rise of 17% from 2018. This kind of investment now represents 37% of more than $3 trillion in Australia’s professionally managed assets.
O’Connor said companies and investments simply won’t thrive in the future if issues like climate change, health, working rights, diversity and corruption aren’t taken into account.
“Investors are fast realising that consideration of these issues provides more informed investment decisions, such as valuation and asset allocation," he said.
RELATED: Accessed your super early? Here’s how to rebuild your nest egg.
What can you do to support ethical investments?
In the scheme of big business, you may feel a little helpless when it comes to directing the course of national investments. But every little choice counts, so make sure you’re putting your money where your ethical mouth is.
Start by switching your banking, superannuation and energy source to ethical and environmentally-focused providers (the RIAA has a useful online tool to help you find and compare ethical financial options). By supporting these players you’re backing sustainable developments in Australia, as well as encouraging more people to see these organisations as profitable and preferable options.
You can also seek out B Corp certified providers across the banking and insurance spectrum. To attain this certification, companies have to meet advanced ethical standards within their workplaces and impact communities and the environment in a similarly positive way.
When you’re not busy banking and investing, take sustainable baby steps and make sure you’re shopping preloved. Then scour the savings accounts below for an option which matches your priorities.
Compare savings accounts - last updated January 23, 2021
Bonus Saver Account
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
1.20% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)0.10% p.a.(for $0 and over)Yes up to $250,000Bonus rate when at least $20 is deposited each month and five Visa Debit transactions are made each month using linked Everyday or Glide transaction accounts.
CompareCompareBonus Saver Account
Winner of a Mozo Experts Choice Award 2020 in the Regular Saver category.^ No monthly account fees and no minimum balance requirements.
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus rate when at least $20 is deposited each month and five Visa Debit transactions are made each month using linked Everyday or Glide transaction accounts.
- Access
- BPay, Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must link to a transaction account
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Bonus Saver Account
Serious Saver
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
0.90% p.a. (for $0 to $1,000,000)0.05% p.a.(for $0 and over)Yes up to $250,000No withdrawals in the month. Bonus rate for first 4 months, reverting to 0.05% rate after*
CompareCompareSerious Saver
$0 monthly account fee. Link to any Australian bank account.
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- No withdrawals in the month. Bonus rate for first 4 months, reverting to 0.05% rate after*
- Access
- Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Serious Saver
Saver Account
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
1.10% p.a. (for $0 to $1,000,000)0% p.a.(for $0 and over)Yes up to $250,000Make 5 or more successful card purchases per calendar month using your Up debit card and digital wallets (ATM transactions excluded).
CompareCompareSaver Account
No monthly fees and earn up to 1.10% interest when you make 5 card purchases per calendar month. Automatically receive a $5 bonus into your new Up account when you use the special code MOZO5SAVE at sign up.
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Make 5 or more successful card purchases per calendar month using your Up debit card and digital wallets (ATM transactions excluded).
- Access
- Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Bank and saving account only accessible through iOS or Android app.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Saver Account
Online Saver
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
1.10% p.a. (for $0 to $500,000)0.35% p.a.(for $0 and over)Yes up to $250,000Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
CompareCompareOnline Saver
No account keeping fees. No minimum balance required. Unlimited phone and internet transactions.
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
- Access
- Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must link to a transaction account.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Online Saver
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Savings Accounts Awards
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