The sustainability strategy of the Group goes through investment decisions that include environmental, social and governance factors (ESG criteria)

Verona, 25 June 2019

Cattolica Assicurazioni has signed the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) of the United Nations, thus committing to incorporating the ESG criteria in its investment and active shareholding decisions. Adhering to the Principles of Responsible Investment, already adopted by over 2,000 signatories in 50 Countries, reinforces the orientation on social responsibility of the Cattolica Group and reiterates the Company’s commitment to being a transparent player vis-a-vis its own stakeholders and responsible member of the community of institutional investors from a long-term perspective.

The CEO of the Cattolica Assicurazioni Group, Alberto Minali, stated: “The fulfillment of the expectations of our stakeholders is a necessary condition for the profitable growth of the company. From the very beginning, the reference to the ethical nature of the business is pivotal in Cattolica’s entrepreneurial vision and in its idea of the relationship with the economic system and the social partners. Joining the PRI of the United Nations is the natural result of this approach”.

Massimo di Tria, Chief Investment Officer of the Group, stated: “An increasing number of investors integrates the ESG principles into the decision-making mechanisms related to investments since it is by now widely known that these factors are an excellent risk management instrument supporting the medium-long term sustainability. Our Group promotes investments through the selection of products that identify macro-trends destined to guide the future social and economic developments, in compliance with an intrinsic philosophy focused on sustainability. In particular, in the last few years there has been a growing interest in lending in the environmental sector, through the participation in specialised funds, real estate funds and closed-end funds, or through the underwriting of bonds to support specific projects such as the so-called Green Bonds and Sustainability Awareness Bonds”.