Hong Kong fund managers are cautiously warming to ‘impact investing’

Investing with the intention of generating a discernible social impact, along with positive financial returns, has begun to attract a trickle of interest among those charged with overseeing family trusts in Hong Kong.

Known an “impact investing”, the intention is to help bring about a positive social outcome, while still employing sound investment management principles.

Dee Dee Chan, who helps oversee her family’s philanthropic foundation along with her father, says she has warmed to the concept, even as the idea has yet to fully catch on with her peers.

“My peers and I have control over a lot of our families’ investments, but not many that I know of have plunged into impact investment in a major way,” Chan said.