National Bank Investments

NBI applies a six-criteria framework: a strong organization with a top-tier investment culture, a stable investment team, a proven security-selection process, optimized portfolio construction, predictable risk-adjusted returns, and ESG integration. The firm describes this as its "open architecture" approach, which allows it to choose managers from global management firms.

NBI operates entirely as a fund-of-funds platform. It does not employ in-house portfolio managers for fundamental security selection; instead, it delegates to third-party managers and concentrates on manager selection, combination, and ongoing oversight through its CIO Office.

NBI offers mutual funds and pooled vehicles covering Canadian, US, and international equities, fixed-income, and balanced mandates. These products are distributed through National Bank's wealth-management network and external advisors, who can access fund codes, forms, and continuing-education resources via the firm's advisor portal.

ESG integration is embedded in NBI's manager-selection criteria and is positioned as a central part of its investment philosophy. The firm publishes a dedicated responsible-investment landing page and markets itself around "investing in the power of people," but does not disclose a proprietary ESG rating methodology or exclusion list.

NBI does not publicly name individual portfolio managers or investment-committee members. Decision-making is attributed to the "CIO Office," which produces market commentary, podcasts, and video updates, but the individuals behind that function are not disclosed on the firm's website.