WMI announces new upcoming suite of ESG programmes in line with MAS’ and IBF’s launch of new “Sustainable Finance Technical Skills and Competencies”, together with new initiatives in ESG research and community building

Singapore, Wednesday, 9 February 2022 – The Wealth Management Institute (WMI) celebrated the opening of its new campus situated at the heart of Singapore’s financial centre, at One Marina Boulevard. Guest-of-Honour Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, graced the event today.

Sustainability is a major area of focus within the finance industry. An estimated $2 trillion in infrastructure investments are needed over the next decade for SE Asia’s sustainable transition[1]. In recent years, Singapore has seen a ramp-up of new initiatives within the sector to build a greener future. For example, Singapore has the largest green finance market in ASEAN, accounting for just over 50 per cent of cumulative ASEAN green bond and loan issuances[2]. In addition, WMI launched the Global-Asia Family Office Circle in October 2021, a network platform for the family office community that aims to galvanise purposeful wealth for causes including sustainability and impact investing.

As a centre of excellence for wealth and asset management education and research, WMI continues to spearhead new initiatives to build sustainable finance capabilities locally and around the region. Building on its existing series of ESG programmes, WMI will launch a holistic suite of initiatives focusing on ESG education, research and community building.

In March 2022, WMI will launch the new Applied ESG Investing Certification programme for family offices. This programme will equip family office professionals and advisors with the tools and concepts needed to design and implement ESG investment strategies (refer to Annex for more information). In the subsequent months, WMI will launch additional online and in-person ESG programmes for asset managers, private bankers, next-generation family principals and other stakeholders in the financial ecosystem.

To further support the finance sector in bolstering sustainable finance capabilities, MAS and IBF are launching a set of Sustainable Finance Technical Skills and Competencies. The TSCs will set out what skills finance professionals need to effectively perform their roles in sustainable finance. WMI’s new programmes will take reference from the newly launched TSCs.

Beyond education programmes, WMI will also conduct applied research that creates high-impact ESG solutions and tools, starting with the family office sector. Lastly, WMI will convene communities of like-minded thought leaders and practitioners, for example through sector-specific flagship conferences.

Ms Foo Mee Har, CEO of WMI, said: “It is our hope that WMI’s ESG and Sustainable Finance research and programmes will spur innovations and new solutions to contribute to the green transition of industries and economies.

Over the next three years, WMI’s suite of practice-based ESG and Sustainable Finance programmes aim to bolster the capabilities and skills of over 1,000 finance professionals and investors across family office, asset management and private banking. Our research will help industry players to adopt global best practices and embed ESG considerations into their decision-making. We also look forward to convening exciting events such as our flagship Global-Asia Family Office Summit which will galvanise the family office community towards causes such as sustainability and impact investing.”

Mr Lim Chow Kiat, Chairman of WMI, said “As we move towards a low-carbon society, we will require different sources of capital, including private wealth and institutional capital, to power the green transition. Asset and wealth management professionals have a stewardship role, and they have the opportunity to contribute positive outcomes for society over the long term.

WMI’s physical move to our new Campus at One Marina Boulevard brings us closer to our industry professionals and thought leaders. This reflects WMI’s commitment to build and strengthen the capabilities of our talent pool, supporting Singapore as Asia’s leading financial hub.”

[1] Source: https://www.bain.com/insights/southeast-asias-green-economy-2021/

[2] Source: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/green-business/regulation-to-be-key-driver-of-green-economy-and-its-transition