1.17.2007 - 12:15pm ET

(CSRwire) PORTLAND, ME- January 17, 2007 — IW Financial, a leading provider of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) research, consulting and portfolio management solutions for the financial services industry, today announced the expansion of its proprietary research to include all companies in the Russell 3000. The research, available in database form and through the company's Workstation analytic platform, gives users the ability to evaluate over 70 ESG factors on over 3000 companies.

The expanded coverage enables firms with mid and small cap portfolios to take advantage of IW Financial's proprietary analytical and screening technology when serving socially responsible and faith-based clients. Data points covered include environment, tobacco, alcohol, adult entertainment, human rights, and diversity.

"Both institutional and retail investors are looking to expand ESG evaluation into different asset classes," said Sam Pierce, chief executive officer at IW Financial. "Adding coverage of the Russell 3000 gives asset managers, plan sponsors, and other financial professionals more flexibility with their socially responsible and faith based portfolios."

IW Financial is already seeing significant client interest in the new coverage, according to Pierce. One new client, Aperio Group LLC, a San Francisco-based financial advisory firm that delivers customized asset management services for taxable investors, is seeing immediate benefits from the broader coverage.

"Our ability to provide enhanced index portfolios with ESG screening positions us favorably with many of our clients, for whom this is an increasingly important concern," said Paul Solli, partner & COO at Aperio. "The company coverage and comprehensive nature of IW Financial's research is a terrific benefit. We are working closely with the firm to develop socially responsible portfolios."

IW Financial is a leading provider of research, technology, and consulting services that help clients build, manage, and promote ESG portfolios based on user-defined criteria investment criteria. The firm's clients encompass asset management firms, private banks, faith-based investment firms, educational institutions, and financial planning organizations.

Solutions include the IWF Workstation, a Web-based analytic platform that utilizes the firm's patented technology to streamline the research process and produce customized evaluations of investments and investment opportunities; IWF Advisor, a private labeled tool for broker dealers and advisor networks; and IWF Consulting, which develops customized ESG solutions for asset managers and the managed accounts industry.

About IW Financial

IW Financial is a leading provider of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) research, consulting and portfolio management solutions for asset management firms, managed accounts sponsors, institutional investors, plan sponsors, and investment advisors. With its unique combination of investment industry expertise, unbiased research, and technology solutions, IW Financial helps industry professionals capitalize on growing investor demand by incorporating ESG factors into investment platforms, products, and portfolios, adding value to the money management process while strengthening client relationships.

IW Financial is based in Portland, Maine. For more information, visit www.iwfinancial.com.

For more information please contact: