4.03.2003 ET

(CSRwire) NEW YORK, NY, - The Progressive Investor announces the release of the report, "Investing in Community."

Community investing provides financing for economically disadvantaged people in the U.S. and abroad that are traditionally underserved by financial institutions. Whereas a checking account with a conventional bank might finance construction of a natural gas pipeline in the rainforest, an account with a community development bank might support a company that restores forests.

How do you distinguish between the 40 community banks, 200 community credit unions, 200 community loan funds and 70 community venture capital funds? Sifting through the options can be overwhelming.

Community investing began out of a desire to help people find affordable housing and 20 years later, that's where the emphasis remains. This report looks at programs that concentrate on sustainable economy - leaders in green banking, loan programs, venture capital and mutual funds.

The report looks at challenges that are unique to community investing and where the industry may be headed. One of the observations in the report is that many people in the field continue to think of social and environmental issues as separate concerns. Loan funds that finance affordable housing, for example, don't necessarily build environmentally beneficial housing. "The two need to come together," asserts Rona Fried, Editor. "We can enable people to have shelter as we also incorporate green building practices and prevent further sprawl." The organizations profiled in this report do that.

The sections are:

* Introduction to Community Investing
* Getting to Know Your Community Investment Options: Getting Started
* Getting to Know Your Community Investment Options: Mutual Funds & SRI Advisors
* Getting to Know Your Community Investment Options: Loan Funds & Venture Capital Funds

The Progressive Investor is a monthly financial newsletter available by subscription. Each issue draws on a group of world-class sustainable investment analysts for their insights and opinions on viable investments in the "green" business sector. This report can be purchased individually or as part of a subscription to Progressive Investor. http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/progressiveinvestor/index.cfm

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