Sun Life Financial becomes first major Canadian life insurer to officially sign on to the UN supported PRI

TORONTO, Dec. 18, 2014 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) announced today that its primary life insurance subsidiary, Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, has signed on to the United Nations supported Principles for Responsible Investment (UN supported PRI). It is the first major Canadian life insurer to become a signatory. Its affiliate, Sun Life Investment Management Inc., will also adopt these principles.

"Adopting the UN supported PRI is part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability," said Stephen Peacher, President, Sun Life Investment Management and Chief Investment Officer, Sun Life Financial. "The principles are consistent with our existing investment approach, and with the long-term nature of our business. Being a responsible investor contributes to healthy, sustainable communities - to the benefit of our customers and other stakeholders."

The UN supported PRI, which was established by an international network of investors, requires signatories to implement a series of responsible investment principles. The goal of the program is to help organizations understand sustainability issues associated with their investments, such as their impact on the environment, and to encourage signatories to incorporate sustainability principles into their investment decision-making and ownership practices.

"This was a natural evolution for our company. We have a long-standing history of making sustainable investments. The official adoption of these principles helps strengthen our commitment to sustainability," Peacher said.

Sun Life Financial is a signatory to the UN supported PRI for its general account assets of over $110 billion and for assets managed by Sun Life Investment Management Inc., which provides investment solutions to pension funds and other large institutional investors. Implementation of the principles will begin in 2015, and Sun Life Financial anticipates reporting on its progress in 2016.

About Sun Life Investment Management
Sun Life Investment Management is the corporate brand name for an institutional investment management arm of Sun Life Financial that includes the investment operations of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada that manages assets for its affiliated insurance companies, as well as Sun Life Investment Management Inc. 

Sun Life Investment Management Inc. provides investment solutions for defined benefit pension plans and other institutional investors in Canada, specializing in private asset class funds and liability driven investment strategies. It is registered with the Canadian securities commissions and regulatory authorities as a Portfolio Manager, Investment Fund Manager, and Exempt Market Dealer.

Further information about Sun Life Investment Management Inc. and its offerings is available at www.sunlifeinvestmentmanagement.com.

About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun Life Financial and its partners have operations in key markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of September 30, 2014 the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $698 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Note to Editors: All figures in Canadian dollars.

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc. - Financial News