NEI Investments Launches the New NEI Environmental Leaders Fund

TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2016 /CNW/ - NEI Investments ("NEI") today announced the successful launch of the NEI Environmental Leaders Fund to be sub-advised by Impax Asset Management Limited ("Impax").

A first-of-its-kind resource optimization solution in Canada, the fund seeks to achieve long-term capital growth by investing globally in rapidly expanding environmental markets. Corporate leaders in these markets innovate across a range of areas including energy efficiency, renewable energy, water infrastructure, waste management technologies and sustainable food, and agriculture. For investors, that means an emerging investment opportunity that is designed to drive growth forward by focusing on the future potential of thriving industries rather than having to rely on unsustainable industries of the past (e.g. clean energy vs. coal).

"This is an ideal juncture for an investment solution like this," said Daniel Solomon, Chief Investment Officer, NEI Investments. "Policymakers around the world are increasingly recognizing the need and urgency to make substantial and meaningful progress on environmental issues and the focus on technological innovation as an input into that progress is intense. The inherent imbalances between finite environmental resource supply and the relentless demands of society and global growth are quite literally transforming industries and requiring companies to adapt in order to thrive in this new economy," continued Solomon.

Headquartered in the United Kingdom, Impax manages close to $5 billion through both listed and private equity strategies. The Impax approach aims to seek out mispriced companies that are set to benefit from the long-term trends of rising global populations and wealth, changing demographics, urbanization, increasing consumption, and the resultant increases in resource demand. The outcome of their investment process creates NEI's first investment solution that totally diversifies away from fossil fuels.

"We are excited to be working with NEI to bring this first-of-its-kind solution to Canada," said David Richardson, Managing Director, Global Head of Marketing & Client Service, Impax Asset Management. "In recent years we've seen accelerated demand for this investment strategy in the US and other global markets – further proof that investing in companies addressing environmental challenges is becoming recognized as a long term growth opportunity by more and more investors." continued Richardson.

To learn more about Impax Asset Management Limited and their investment approach, please visit http://bit.ly/1ITcTpx.

To learn more about the NEI Environmental Leaders Fund, please visit http://bit.ly/1TI6RbJ.

ABOUT NEI INVESTMENTS
NEI Investments is a national investment firm with approximately $6 billion in assets under management. It offers Canadian retail investors access to experienced money managers through a wide range of investment solutions in three fund families, NEI, Northwest Funds and Ethical Funds. Its products provide investors with a full range of investment management styles as well as conventional and socially responsible investment choices.

NEI Investments is owned 50% by the Provincial Credit Union Centrals and 50% by Desjardins Group. This backing of experience and resources allows NEI Investments to actively support business growth in these networks as well as independent advisor channels.

NEI Investments has offices in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. For more information, please visit NEIinvestments.com and follow NEI on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Views expressed are for informational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell nor should they be relied upon as specific advice, including, without limitation, investment, financial, tax or similar matters.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Northwest Funds, Ethical Funds and NEI Investments are registered marks and trademarks owned by Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P.

SOURCE NEI Investments

Image with caption: "Investing in Resource Optimization (CNW Group/NEI Investments)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160107_C7187_PHOTO_EN_594129.jpg

Image with caption: "Global Environmental Markets: A Simple Breakdown (CNW Group/NEI Investments)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160107_C7187_PHOTO_EN_594131.jpg

For further information: Colin Nekolaichuk, MAVERICK Public Relations, 416-640-5525 ext. 253, [e-mail]