Business Roundtable and ESG

The Business Roundtable issued a press release  on August 19 signed a the CEOs of the largest companies in the U.S. outlining a “Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation .” In it, the CEOs outlines a ” modern standard for corporate responsibility” or, as Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan Chase and the Chair of the Business Roundtable stated,” Major employers are investing in their workers and communities because they know it is the only way to be successful over the long term.”

I not only believe that the Business Roundtable has it right, but it is a position that properly frames the issues for the ERISA  investment fiduciary: prudent  assessment of an investment must take into account a broader view than the narrow financial analysis of the books and records of the company, or of current market pricing. Particularly for ERISA fiduciaries, the investment standard is long-term, to provide retirement income. Any valid, long-term  analysis has to be able to take into account the social, political, market  and scientific trends which will inevitably affect the investment’s value
Continue Reading The Business Roundtable’s Statement of “Balancing Needs” Demonstrates the Valid Counter to DOL’s ESG Approach