| Overview of Investment Management Services Investment Managers :: Investment Oversight Investment Guidelines :: Socially Responsible Investing Our Mission Investing the assets of Brethren Pension Plan, Brethren Insurance Plans, and Brethren Foundation clients is a primary function of BBT. The mission of the investment program is to provide sound stewardship for the greater church. The work of many of our denomination's congregations, agencies, and individuals depends on the success of our ministry.
Since 1980, BBT investments have grown from $25 million to over $386 million as of Jan. 1, 2010. Brethren Foundation investments have grown to nearly $120 million. This growth is due to an increase in clients and a sound investment strategy. Growth brings results. Since Sept. 1, 1990, our Balanced Fund has realized an annualized return of 7.7 percent, net of expenses, and our Domestic Stock Fund, 7.9 percent. For historic investment returns on all BFI funds, go to www.bbtfoundation.org and click on the "Investment Performance" link. Growth presents opportunities. Our program is large enough that we've been able to attract some of the best asset managers in the country. Growth increases responsibility. While always working to achieve competitive returns, our objective continues to be preserving assets and minimizing risks. Growth tests our values. As investors, we must accomplish our objectives within the ethical and social values of the Church of the Brethren, even if it means refusing to invest in companies that traditionally produce strong returns on investments. We reject investments in companies whose products primarily relate to weapons, alcohol, tobacco, pornography, abortion, or gambling. Our investment managers indicate that our socially responsible investment screens sometimes hurt and sometimes help performance in the short term, but long-term performance of our invested assets is similar to that of non-screened assets. |