JANA expands NFP client base with Uniting Financial Services

The religious charitable development fund Uniting Financial Services has chosen leading adviser JANA as its new investment consultant.

Uniting Financial Services (UFS) is a religious charitable development fund providing lending and investment services to the Uniting Church, Synod of NSW and ACT. The not-for-profit organisation has been helping Church organisations to manage and grow their finances for over 90 years. The appointment follows detailed consultation with investors on the range of products UFS offers, the service UFS provides and how these products are helping to meet investor needs.

With UFS’s appointment of JANA, the investment consultant now advises over 35 non-profits including foundations, endowments and government clients. In addition to Uniting Financial Services, JANA has welcomed 4 non-profit clients over the last 12 months. Supporting markets including not-for-profits (NFPs) and broader diversified clients remains a key strategic focus for JANA in 2024.

“There’s a lot of opportunity for JANA to support more NFP organisations, such as for-purpose organisations, foundations and universities, who can benefit from having an independent, institutional investment consultant,” said Michael Maher, Senior Consultant and Head of Not for Profits.

“We understand the diversity of the NFP sector and the unique requirements when it comes to investing, especially in the religious and charitable sector, whom often have unique ESG commitments. This rings true for most NFP organisations whose investment strategies need to be deeply aligned to their mission and generate revenue streams that support them in their long-term success.”

Edwin Lo, Chief Investment Officer for Uniting Financial Services, said on JANA’s appointment: “We believe the appointment of an asset consultant will help to deliver sustainable portfolio outcomes for clients over the long term, incorporating our fundamental investment and ethical beliefs, as well as helping UFS to enhance its client engagement and product development programs.

“We are excited to work and collaborate with JANA, one of the leaders in this space in Australia and New Zealand.”

Effective 1 December 2023, JANA will provide advisory services including strategic advice, manager research, portfolio construction and ESG advice for Uniting Financial Services.