For years now, the SAM Group has held an internationally leading position in the field of sustainability investments and enjoys a first-rate reputation. With the launch of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index family, a cooperation between the SAM Group and Dow Jones Indexes and STOXX, we have established our research methodology as a global benchmark.

Over the past five years, we have grown our assets under management at an average of 40-50 per cent per annum. Currently, we advise our clients on a total of approximately CHF 10 billion of assets (i.e. CHF 3.5bn of assets under management and CHF 6.5 bn via index licences). The SAM Group today employs more than 70 staff members throughout the world and offers a broad range of sustainability and theme funds as well as an investment company.

SAM Group following through on its success story - and significantly enhancing its distribution strength and product development skills

SAM Group is the pioneer of sustainability investing. Already in 1995 - when sustainability was yet to become broadly accepted in the financial markets – SAM Group coined this topic and developed innovative investment products for the capital markets. In the meantime, sustainability has become a central investment strategy for many investors. Current trends, such as climate change, new energy technologies and global depletion of natural resources, are fundamentally changing our economic environment. For the financial markets, that results in attractive investment opportunities which coincide with ever increasing interest from private and institutional investors.

SAM Group's strategic goal is to further expand its leading position. Achieving that goal requires a global distribution platform as well as enhancing our know-how in the areas of structured products, emerging markets and hedge funds. Within an exhaustive evaluation process, SAM Group has examined and assessed potential cooperation partners. With the Dutch Robeco, the asset management subsidiary of the AAA-rated Rabobank Group, we have found the ideal partner to realize our joint ambitions. Within this cooperation, SAM Group combines its leading sustainability research methodology, world's most comprehensive sustainability database and successful portfolio management approach with the investment engineering know-how and distribution power of Robeco. Yet, the operational independence of SAM Group will be preserved within the scope of this cooperative venture.

This far-reaching and growth-oriented strategic collaboration opens up entirely new dimensions for SAM Group, our employees and our clients.

For you this means that:

• you gain access to a broadened, highly attractive and innovative product range and new investment classes
• SAM Group and Robeco will be investing in the development of new products in the areas of emerging markets, alternative investments, fixed income securities and structured investment vehicles;
• you can benefit from our global presence - going forward, we can cater to your needs at all times on every continent of the world;
• SAM Group's management, SAM Group's philosophy and brand will remain unchanged;
• your previous contact partner at SAM Group will continue to be at your disposal.

In keeping with the spirit of our ambitions, Robeco is acquiring a 64 per cent interest in the SAM Group, while the remaining 36 per cent of the shares will be directly and fully held by our staff within the framework of an employee stock ownership plan.

The Board of Directors will newly comprise five individuals: Dr. Albert Gnägi (inter alia Chairman of the Board of Forbo Holding) and an additional independent director, Messrs. George Möller (CEO Robeco) and Sander van Eijkern (Member of the Executive Board of Robeco), as well as Reto Ringger (CEO SAM Group).