My journey to Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) started during the summer of 2019.
Another financial advisor at my previous firm posted on our internal website asking for help. She had a client who was requesting only "Christian based Mutual funds" and didn't know what to offer. I thought to myself, "Good luck with that. The only investments I know like that don't perform well."
The next day a few other advisors jumped in on the thread with some fund companies that were new to me. Now, I was curious. Is it possible that Biblically Responsible Investing doesn't mean poor returns? I had to find out.
During my research, I came across Inspire and learned about Robert Netzly. He's the CEO of Inspire Investing. I found some videos on YouTube, where he appeared twice on Fox Business. I watched in amazement as he boldly shared about BRI.
Later that evening, I found another video where Robert talked about a screening tool designed to show what publicly held companies do with shareholder money. The app is called Inspire Insight.
I checked out the Inspire Insight website and viewed a version of my "Impact Report." Then, I saw it with my own two eyes. My stomach turned as I learned that shares I owned in several companies were directly participating in or promoting activities that are opposed to my Biblical worldview.
Also, while looking around the website, I had a question about the tool so, I emailed support to find out.
The next day I received a response to my question from Robert. He's the CEO of Inspire that I mentioned earlier. Then for some reason, I replied to the email and shared my story. Shortly after that, Robert replied, saying that he'd "love to connect on a phone call and get acquainted."
Two days later I was on the phone with Robert, the guy I'd seen on the Fox Business videos. He shared with me more about Inspire Investing and the new company he put together. This new company is one of the few 100% BRI Registered Investment Advisory firms in the country.
Two days later, on a drive to Whitefish, MT, to pick up an incinerating toilet for our Airstream, my wife and I read aloud Robert's Biblically Responsible Investing book. On the way back home, we concluded that we could no longer do business the same way. We had to figure out how to serve our clients with quality investments without necessarily impacting their long-term performance.
It was one of those situations that once you learn something you can't unknow it. Even though you might want to. My wife and I felt morally responsible to pull our support from companies who profited from or supported values that were in direct contrast to human flourishing. It all happened so quickly. In less than a week, I learned about BRI and was challenged to change our business model.
A few days later, I moved my personal investments to Inspire.
During the next eight weeks, I spent countless hours doing research, sending emails, being on the phone with my broker-dealer, and having meetings with mutual fund and investment companies. I concluded that, to be a fiduciary and to offer a wide variety of investment options, I needed to switch to Inspire Advisors.
Now, here I am. I am a part of this transformative Registered Investment Advisory firm. Here, I can show my clients that, on their way towards reaching their financial goals, they can invest in companies committed to impacting the world for good.
I have access to professionally managed portfolios by a globally acclaimed investment management team. These portfolios are 100% BRI and have a strong track record against their benchmarks.
Isn't that cool?
I want to conclude by asking you if you would like your own impact report. In this report, you'll learn:
- about the companies you own,
- how a comparable BRI portfolio might perform,
- how a portion of the investment costs would go towards causes like clean water, legal representation for the oppressed, and more.
To get your FREE Impact Report and to learn if Biblically Responsible Investing is for you, go to the Contact section of our website oakstreetfinancial.com and contact us today!
Investment advisory services offered through Inspire Advisors, LLC , a Registered Investment Adviser with the SEC.
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