BlackRock launches Social Impact fund

In October of 2015, BlackRock, Inc. announced the launch of the BlackRock Social Impact fund. Led by Black Rocks Scientific Active team, the BlackRock Impact Fund consists out of equity securities in companies targeting competitive market returns and aggregate social impact outcomes. The fund arrives at a time when impact investing is gaining traction as investment banks attempt to meet an increasing demand for profitable investments that generate social benefits .A few months prior, Bain capital followed announced the launch of a similar impact fund led by former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick. Other major financial firms such as JP Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, HSB, Citi and UBS have launched similar initiatives, assigning entire units to social impact investing. The development reflect increased belief in the business case for the generation of financial returns alongside social value.