Socially responsible investment firms Real Assets Investment Management Inc. and United Investment Counsel have merged.

The merged company will continue to use the Real Assets name and will create a single SRI company with national reach and access to retail and institutional markets.

Real Assets was launched in 2000 by Vancouver City Savings Credit Union and Renewal Partners, a Vancouver seed capital firm that focuses on social impact business ventures, to provide SRI products for individual and institutional investors.

United Investment Counsel is a B.C.-based institutional investment management company closely associated with the labour-sponsored Working Enterprises and United Capital Group and the creators of Canada’s first socially screened index fund.

The merged company will provide products and services for individuals, charitable foundations, pension funds and trusts and the national trade union market. It will enable Real Assets to reach the 2.5 million member national union market through its affiliation with Working Enterprises.

“This is an exciting opportunity to create a national leader in socially responsible investing. It will combine Real Assets‚ reputation and innovative products with Working Enterprises‚ national trade union market and access to VanCity’s reputation,” said Real Assets founder and president, Deb Abbey.

“This merger will bring together two of the leaders in socially responsible investing, creating an investment powerhouse for pension funds and foundations seeking socially responsible portfolios,” said David Levi, president and CEO of the Working Enterprises Group.