5 Critical Ways Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS) Is Transforming Faith-Based Investing In 2025
Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS) is not just a financial firm; it is a global leader in Catholic Responsible Investing (CRI), dedicated to aligning investment performance with the moral and social teachings of the Catholic Church. As of December 22, 2025, the firm continues to stand at the intersection of faith and finance, managing assets for Catholic institutions worldwide and proving that ethical stewardship and strong financial returns are not mutually exclusive pursuits.
The firm has recently reinforced its commitment to its core mission, with a focus on active ownership and strategic team investments announced in July 2025, ensuring its Catholic Social Teachings remain at the forefront of its global strategy. This deep dive explores the critical ways CBIS is transforming the investment landscape, from its influential leadership to its powerful shareholder advocacy wins in the 2024-2025 engagement season.
The Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS) Leadership and Profile
Christian Brothers Investment Services, Inc. (CBIS) operates with a distinct mission: to serve Catholic investors by providing investment solutions that adhere to the moral and social teachings of the Church, specifically through its proprietary Catholic Responsible Investing (CRI) strategy.
The firm's strategic direction is guided by an experienced team of financial and ethical investment professionals.
Key Leadership Profiles
- Jeffrey A. McCroy: President & Chief Executive Officer. Appointed in 2017, McCroy provides the strategic vision, emphasizing CBIS's leadership role with Catholic investors globally.
- Thomas Digenan, CFA: Chief Investment Officer. Digenan is responsible for overseeing the firm's overall investment strategy and the performance of its diverse fund offerings.
- Sarah E. McClain: Chief Marketing Officer. McClain is key in communicating the firm's unique value proposition and the impact of its Catholic Responsible Investments to a global audience.
In a move to strengthen its global reach and investment capabilities, CBIS announced a strategic team investment in July 2025, including the recruitment of a Europe-based portfolio professional. This expansion underscores the firm's commitment to delivering specialized expertise to its international clients, particularly those utilizing the UCITS Funds structure.
1. The Power of Catholic Responsible Investing (CRI) Screening
CBIS’s foundational principle is its proprietary Catholic Responsible Investing (CRI) strategy, a rigorous framework that goes beyond conventional Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria. The CRI approach is rooted in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Guidelines and other key Church teachings, ensuring that Catholic investors avoid profiting from activities that fundamentally contradict Catholic moral and social teachings.
This systematic screening process is a cornerstone of the CBIS difference, resulting in a Restricted Company List that is updated quarterly.
Key CRI Exclusionary Screens (Entities)
- Life Issues: Excluding companies involved in abortion, contraception, and embryonic stem cell research.
- Weapons: Screening out investments in companies that produce or sell anti-personnel landmines, cluster munitions, and certain nuclear weapons components.
- Human Dignity: Excluding companies involved in pornography, egregious labor rights violations, and human trafficking.
- Controversial Products: Companies deriving significant revenue from tobacco products.
The CRI framework is a dynamic process, involving detailed, issue-specific criteria and third-party analysis, which allows CBIS to maintain a high degree of fidelity to its mission while navigating complex global markets.
2. Leading Shareholder Advocacy and Engagement Wins (2024-2025)
For CBIS, responsible investing is not merely about exclusion; it is fundamentally about active ownership and Shareholder Advocacy. This involves direct engagement with companies in their portfolios to influence corporate policies and drive positive change on issues like Corporate Governance, Environmental Justice, and Human Rights.
The 2024-2025 engagement season has been particularly fruitful, demonstrating the tangible impact of the firm’s commitment to its values.
Recent Engagement Successes
- DEI Policy Wins: CBIS played a key role in successful engagements that led to significant improvements in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies at several major institutions, including Zions Bancorporation, East West Bank, and Webster Bank.
- Supply Chain Transparency: The firm continues its multi-year focus on pressing companies to improve transparency and accountability regarding labor practices and environmental standards within their global supply chains.
- Geopolitical Risk and Human Rights: In a timely update, CBIS was noted for urging companies with ties in regions like Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus to address human rights and social impacts stemming from the ongoing conflict.
The forthcoming 2025 Impact Report is expected to highlight the full results of the Catholic Responsible Investments (CRI) Team’s engagement efforts, showcasing the real-world influence of faith-based capital.
3. Focused Investment Offerings: The CRI Funds
CBIS offers a range of investment vehicles designed to meet the diverse needs of Catholic investors while adhering to the CRI mandate. These funds provide institutional investors—including religious orders, dioceses, and other Catholic organizations—with a pathway to generate competitive returns without compromising their moral identity.
Core Fund Entities and Performance
- CRI Funds: These are the core domestic offerings, structured to amplify the power of faith-based investing across various asset classes. Trailing performance data for these funds is updated quarterly, providing transparency and accountability to investors.
- CBIS Global Funds PLC: This international platform includes funds like the World Equity Fund (UCITS) and the World Bond Fund. These UCITS-compliant funds allow global Catholic institutions to invest under the same strict CRI guidelines.
- Impact and Justice (I&J) Quarterly Review: The firm regularly publishes its I&J Quarterly Review, with the Q4 2024 edition providing timely insights into the intersection of investment performance and the pursuit of justice.
This dual focus on financial rigor and ethical integrity is what differentiates CBIS in the increasingly crowded Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) and Impact Investing landscape.
4. Strategic Partnerships and Institutional Support in 2025
CBIS maintains a strong institutional presence within the Catholic community, fostering partnerships that strengthen the financial health and ethical posture of Catholic organizations globally. Their involvement extends beyond asset management into direct support and education.
In early 2025, Christian Brothers Services (CBS)—a related organization—announced its involvement in key events, including the 2025 Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference (DFMC). These engagements are crucial for providing Catholic financial leaders with the latest insights on investment management, risk mitigation, and compliance with the USCCB Guidelines.
Furthermore, CBIS actively collaborates with other ethical investment advocates, such as the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), to amplify its voice on critical issues like climate change and human rights, ensuring a unified front in Corporate Responsibility.
5. Looking Ahead: The Future of Faith-Based Capital
The trajectory for Christian Brothers Investment Services in the mid-2020s is one of continued expansion and deepened impact. The firm is not content to simply screen out problematic companies; its mission is to actively transform the world through capital.
The strategic appointment of new global talent in July 2025 and the ongoing commitment to active engagement, as detailed in the quarterly reports, signal a firm prepared for the future. By maintaining its commitment to the Catholic Social Teachings—including principles of human dignity, solidarity, and care for creation—CBIS is setting a high bar for the entire Faith-Based Investing sector.
For Catholic institutions, investing with CBIS is a clear articulation of their values, allowing their endowments and pension funds to become powerful tools for evangelization and social justice, all while seeking sound financial stewardship. The success stories from the 2024-2025 engagement cycle confirm that values-aligned investing is a potent force for change in the global marketplace.
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