Financial Independent

CH Financial and ESG

CH Financial and ESG

In recent years investing has increasingly been viewed as being about more than just optimizing returns and minimizing risks. Three additional concerns have been put forward when making specific investment decisions: Environmental, Sustainability, and Governance (ESG).

The challenge in applying an ESG model is that there are nearly as many definitions of these three terms as there are investors. So, what do they mean to us at CH?

Environmental

We and our investment managers are deeply concerned with helping to preserve our world’s environment. This means that the companies we invest in must take a deep interest in engaging in the most ethical and best practices in their respective industries. This concern extends to how these companies manage the environment, as well as how they treat their employees and the local populations in the places in which they work. Put simply, companies that do not remain mindful of these issues will end up not only hurting the environment but time and again we have seen that they will do damage to their organizations and shareholders as well.

Sustainability

As with good stewardship of the environment, companies need to be aware of and plan for the long-term sustainability of their industry. A management team that seeks only to maximize profits in the short term is not only irresponsible, but as with poor managers of the environment, they will destroy the value of their company. Here we can think of historical examples like Lehman Brothers, an over 100-year-old investment banking firm that fell into the trap of maximizing its profits in the early 2000’s, yet lost control over its risk models. In the end this short-term focus on profits led to bankruptcy.

Governance

Essentially governance comes down to the systems, rules and processes that determine how a company operates. For us at CH we view this as the “culture” of the companies in which we invest.

Ultimately every decision a company makes will come down to the quality and vision of the people who run that company. Weak governance can lead a company into engaging in unethical and even illegal activities. History has taught us many times over that this strategy will most certainly lead to the demise of the company engaging in such activities. One need only think of past stories like Enron, Nortel, or more recently SNC Lavelin to learn the damage that can be done by poor governance.

Conclusion

At CH Financial we are driven by objective measures of our investments. This extends not just to profitability, cash flow and rates of return, but also to the ESG measures for all of our investments. In this way we seek to protect our clients’ capital and at the same time allow them to profit in the long-term sustainable growth of the global economy.

Best regards,

Brian Trafford, Chief Investment Officer
& Your CH Financial Team

403-237-6570
hi@chfinancial.ca

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Like you, we’re selective about the long-term relationships in which we engage.

We’re looking for aspirational clients who require the whole spectrum of financial services because managing the whole is how we’re able to deliver unbeatable value – it’s our “secret sauce”.

If this describes you, let’s set up a meeting and
get to know each other.

Are we a good fit?

We’re looking for aspirational clients who require the whole spectrum of financial services because managing the whole is how we’re able to deliver unbeatable value – it’s our “secret sauce.”If this describes you, let’s set up a meeting andget to know each other.

Full quote:

I just want to say we have been with your team since 1993, and we have never had any bad advice. The investments you set up for us during this time has paid for university education for our two granddaughters and provided a significant monthly income for us to augment our pensions.

We are with you for the long run and are not going anywhere. Jeremy has told us that at these times the numbers tend to scare you, but you haven’t really lost anything if you don’t panic and sell.

Ken M, Calgary

With CH Financial since 1993

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When I became a client of CHF it was a real game-changer as I was going through a very difficult time both professionally and personally.

I went through a divorce and the loss of a job and a parent, all within a 12-month period. While it was very tough to deal with at the time, I was reassured by the fact that the team at CHF had my back and really cared about me and what I was going through.

Looking back now, I’m not sure how I would have managed without the support of the CHF family.

Jeremy and his team were there every step of the way to help me navigate my way through the complexities of a divorce and inheritance. They got me back on track both financially, as well as emotionally.

I have now been a client of CHF for over 10 years and thanks to their expertise, I know that my family will be well taken care of for many years to come. I am now in a position where I don’t need to worry about money thanks to a solid financial plan.

I would highly recommend the CHF team to others going through life-changing and difficult situations as your financial partner.

Linda, Victoria

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As an investment industry professional, I am constantly on the go and maximizing my peak career earning years in my 40s. With travel and work commitments I am very limited for time to spend with family and do the things I love to do and chose CH Financial to allow me more freedom and lifestyle balance.

Being in the investment industry my whole career and an extremely busy professional, I know I could probably do a good job at managing my money as I work in the industry after all while I rely on and trust the CH Financial team that they will take care of the details, both growing my assets as well as taking care of every aspect of my financial situation, including my tax, investments and insurance, they simply take away the stress of having to worry about it all and help me to navigate the complexities for me so it all meshes together and importantly saves me valuable time and headaches.

At the end of the day, the reality is I truly value my time and the opportunity cost of my time and would rather hire the best in the industry so ultimately my wife and I can do the things that we love to do, have more leisure time, relax and enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, exploring new countries, hiking in the mountains and volunteer work.

Since engaging CHF more than 5 years ago we have enjoyed significant growth in our investments but more importantly, we have peace of mind and sleep much better at night knowing the team at CHF has our financial back and anything financial they will take care of for us.

I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending the team at CHF to other career-focused busy professionals who really value their time and lifestyle balance.

Kevin & Sharron, Calgary

Financial industry professionals

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Full quote:

Prior to joining CH Financial as a client, I had been partially managing our investments and using a bank-owned broker for many years, with moderate success. When we became clients of CHF, I quickly realized how little I knew about the complexities of managing investments and the importance of seeking out the best specialists in the industry to assist with my family’s full financial picture.

Brian and the team at CHF encouraged us to take an introspective look at our assets and expenditures and even helped us implement a comprehensive budget. The team really stepped up to take care of all aspects of our financial picture, including portfolio design, CH Financial introduced us to a lawyer who took care of everything for us, estate planning and tax, while helping us simplify our financial affairs.

Being of the sandwich generation my wife and I spend considerable time caring for our surviving parents and our grandkids, so

freeing up valuable time is essential to allow us to do the things we love to do. The team at CHF takes care of the details and today my wife and I enjoy a comfortable, stress-free financial situation.

Over the years as a client of CHF, both our portfolio and wealth has grown exponentially, more than we could have ever imagined. Now that we are both happily retired, having the CHF team in our corner helps us to sleep better at night knowing that our somewhat complex financial puzzle is being looked after by a team of people that really care, as opposed to being treated like a number by a big bank.

I would have no hesitation in recommending the CHF team to others looking for a superior financial home in Calgary and a safe place to invest your hard-earned money.

Ian C, Calgary

Comfortably retired thanks to CH Financial