Recommendations are based only on protecting and enhancing investor wealth. The policy is not a "board aligned" policy because directors with poor impact on shareholder return will be opposed. 

Restrictive governance and environmental protection proposals are generally opposed. “Stakeholder capitalism” proposals are opposed, even if supported by management. Proposals promoting diversity, equity, inclusion are also opposed. Exceptions only exist when proposals are directly tailored to revenue generation.

Recommendations are designed to prioritize shareholder returns and implement marketstandard governance practices. 

This policy emphasizes standard governance practices while providing a more typical middle-of-the-road approach to both management and shareholder proposals.

Recommendations are tailored to those investors who are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which enumerates rules under which pension fund assets must be managed and invested. 

The U.S. Department of Labor has stated that proxy voting rights are valuable plan assets, which must be exercised in accordance with the fiduciary duties of loyalty and prudence. The TaftHartley policy is similar to the ESG policy, though puts special emphasis on labor relations.

Recommendations are governed by the Principles for USCCB Investments, which seek to promote long-term shareholder value and the common good. 

This policy, like the principles of the USCCB upon which it is based, addresses issues that affect long-term shareholder value, while considering workplace issues that may have an impact on long-term economic best interests of participants and beneficiaries. This includes corporate policies that affect job security, wage levels, local economic development, corporate responsibility, workplace safety, and environmental safety.

Customers interested in this policy typically adjust one of our existing policies to meet their unique investment needs.

Whatever your approach may be, we are happy to walk you through a custom policy and change our guidelines to match.