EARNEST Partners utilizes an investment philosophy and process grounded in the concept of sustainability. As part of its fundamental review process, the firm assesses the environmental, social and corporate governance risks and opportunities of every company we look to potentially add to the portfolio. Economic empowerment defines and ties together all of the unique U.S. Agency and municipal investing targeted by the strategy, while we believe that the best corporate investments engage in sustainable endeavors as well. Generating more economic activity with fewer resources or providing economically critical services that allow us to function as a society have proven to be sustainable investments. The EARNEST Partners fixed income investment team proactively seeks these types of programs and borrowers. As opportunities that fit within the philosophy and process of the strategy are identified, the investment team vets each idea with the goal of constructing a balanced, diversified strategy of sustainable investments.