Reto Ringger (47) founded SAM Group (Sustainable Asset Management) in 1995 and has been in charge of building and developing the company as CEO and delegate of the board of directors ever since. Under his leadership, SAM has become a global leader in the area of sustainability investments. SAM is managing assets of CHF 15 bio. and employs about 100 investment specialists.
In 2009 Reto sold SAM to Robeco, the investment arm of Rabo Bank and started a new venture in the field of sustainability investing. He will launch a private bank, which will focus on investment opportunities in the field of sustainability. He is a member of the board of trustees of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Switzerland and a member of Club of Rome Switzerland.
Tell us the story of your latest project
We are in the process of setting up a new Swiss bank. Based on our idea of a sustainable bank, we did develop the business plan, did evaluate the operational model, we have applied with the Swiss banking authorities for a license and most importantly, we have recruited a team that will work hard and enthusiastically to develop an idea to a
successful company.
Tell us more about the idea you’d like to talk about at TEDxZurich. Why is this important? What impact could it have?
I would like to talk about my vision of a sustainable bank and a banking system that serves the economy, our environment and the development of our society. The financial crisis has clearly indicated that the leverage in the financial system, but also in the markets of ending resources will come to an end and that we do have to find new
business models in order to avoid more severe crisis.