Press Releases

IW Financial Research and Analytics Power SRI Calculator For Slate Group's New Website "The Big Money"

Marks the first time a socially responsible equities screening tool is available to investors on a major business website; continues march to mainstream acceptance for approach

PORTLAND, Maine, September 17, 2008 — IW Financial today announced it is providing the research and analytics for the SRI Stock Screener featured on the new business website "The Big Money" (www.TheBigMoney.com), launched this week by The Slate Group. The addition of the Screener to the website marks the first time a socially responsible screening tool has been made broadly available to investors on a major business website, and represents another step forward in the acceptance of socially responsible investing.

"The Big Money" pairs a team of leading business journalists with experts in social media to create a highly interactive site designed to appeal to both individual investors and veterans of the financial services community.  Its nexus is the intersection of business and a variety of areas including technology, green initiatives, media, fashion and food. James Ledbetter, former Deputy Managing Editor of CNN Money, serves as editor of the site.

IW Financial is a leading provider of environmental, social, and governance research (ESG), analytics, and consulting services to the financial community. The company’s clients include asset management firms, managed accounts sponsors, institutional investors, plan sponsors, and investment advisors, among others. The SRI Stock Screener is designed to be used by site visitors to rank publicly traded companies based on various sets of social responsibility criteria, including environmental performance and human rights factors. 

IW Financial provides ratings analytics for each of the screens used in Big Money's tool. The tool is highly interactive, allowing the individual to select and apply different screens separately or in conjunction with one another. "The Screener is a convenient, easy-to-use way for investors to gain insight into the environmental and social practices of companies where they have an investment or those in which they may plan to invest," said Ledbetter. "It is one of a number of tools we have added to "The Big Money" site to increase interactivity and to create practical value for visitors."

"The Big Money is a terrific new place for individuals to learn about the markets and to better understand the policies and performance companies through the lens of the different SRI screens offered in the SRI Screening Tool," said Sam Pierce, chief executive officer at IW Financial. "We think the screening tool is something that will hold great appeal to Slate readers, and expand the awareness of environmental and social factors among investors in general. We are excited to be a part of moving the consideration of these factors into the mainstream."

About IW Financial
IW Financial is a leading provider of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) research, consulting and portfolio management solutions for asset management firms, managed accounts sponsors, institutional investors, plan sponsors, and investment advisors.
 
With its unique combination of investment industry expertise, unbiased research, and technology solutions, IW Financial helps industry professionals capitalize on growing investor demand by incorporating ESG factors into investment platforms, products, and portfolios, adding value to the money management process while strengthening client relationships.
 
For more information on IW Financial visit www.iwfinancial.com.
 
About The Slate Group
The Slate Group is an online publishing subsidiary of The Washington Post (NYSE: WPO) that produces savvy web-only publications that are provocative and engaging. Reaching a combined audience of 6 million unique users, its suite of Web sites includes Slate Magazine, Slate V, TheRoot.com and most recently, The Big Money.
 
For more information, go to www.TheBigMoney.com.

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Dan Porter
IW Financial
207-773-2333

Mike MacMillan
MacMillan Communications
212-473-4442
info@macmillancom.com