UBS launches sustainable UN SDG investment-themed products with philanthropy component

Zurich, 12 September 2017 – UBS Investment Bank is launching a series of breakthrough investment products aligned to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A pre-defined portion of revenues will be donated as philanthropic contributions, managed by the UBS Optimus Foundation, our dedicated philanthropic foundation.

The new products, will be linked to sustainability and impact screened indices based on various themes directed at specific investor groups. Among the themes will be a global sustainability index, a social equality-based LGBTQ investment index, and an index linked to the environment and clean energy.

“As the world's largest wealth manager and a recognized sustainability leader we are always looking to combine our expertise and range of products and services to support our clients' financial, sustainable and philanthropic goals,” said Michael Nelskyla, Head of Investor Solutions Americas, Investment Bank. “This new series of products represents an industry first that allows our clients to pursue all three goals through a single investment.”

In its role, the UBS Optimus Foundation will leverage its extensive partner network to identify and support suitable SDG-aligned programs. It will also track each program's progress and provide a rigorous evaluation of the impact achieved.

“Collaboration is key at UBS, and we're delighted to be partnering with the Investment Bank in this exciting new venture,“ said Phyllis Costanza, CEO, UBS Optimus Foundation. “We look forward to sharing our philanthropic expertise and experience to deliver transformational and sustainable change to those who need it most.”

The initiative was announced at a major media event streamed simultaneously over three UBS locations in Zurich, London and New York, where UBS highlighted its commitment to and progress in supporting the UN SDGs through a growing catalogue of sustainable and impact investing products across four business divisions. The event coincided with the announcement by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) – the most widely recognized sustainability index – confirming UBS as the Diversified Financials Group Industry Leader for the third year running.

Notes to editors

The UBS Optimus Foundation is a grant-making foundation that helps UBS clients use their wealth to drive positive social change for children. It connects clients with entrepreneurs, new technologies, and proven models that bridge a gap preventing children from surviving and thriving. It selects, develops and guides innovative programs that improve children's health, education and protection, ones that have the potential to be transformative, scalable and sustainable. And because UBS covers all the Foundation's administrative costs it guarantees that 100% of all donations go to support program partners, including research and development activities that benefit children. In 2016, the Foundation reached 1.6 million children directly.

About UBS
UBS provides financial advice and solutions to wealthy, institutional and corporate clients worldwide, as well as private clients in Switzerland. The operational structure of the Group is comprised of our Corporate Center and five business divisions: Wealth Management, Wealth Management Americas, Personal & Corporate Banking, Asset Management and the Investment Bank. UBS's strategy builds on the strengths of all of its businesses and focuses its efforts on areas in which it excels, while seeking to capitalize on the compelling growth prospects in the businesses and regions in which it operates, in order to generate attractive and sustainable returns for its shareholders. All of its businesses are capital-efficient and benefit from a strong competitive position in their targeted markets.

UBS is present in all major financial centers worldwide. It has offices in 54 countries, with about 34% of its employees working in the Americas, 35% in Switzerland, 18% in the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Africa and 13% in Asia Pacific. UBS employs approximately 60,000 people around the world. UBS Group AG shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

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