NETHERLANDS - The asset management arm of Dutch bank SNS saw its assets under management (AuM) climb 15.2% to €18.9bn in 2007.

SNS Asset Management, which invests on behalf of institutional investors and manages the investment funds of SNS Bank and ASN Bank, said in its 2007 annual results presentation the rise was because of the growth in external clients and increased demand for socially responsible investments (SRI).

Around 25% of its entire assets under management are managed for external investors, such as institutional investors and pension funds.

Last year, the Utrecht-based asset manager tapped into the demand of institutional investors for microfinance as a way of supporting their SRI principles by launching a €100m institutional investment fund.

The firm has said it wants to launch more sustainable products in the course of this year.

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