Greed Gone Good

"COVID-19 has given rise to an unprecedented global health and economic crisis. The pandemic, which disproportionately affected the poor, highlights the importance of inclusive and sustainable economic growth, but shifting toward an inclusive and sustainable growth paradigm requires vast resources. This book explores a promising new area of finance – impact finance – which can help the world build back better. Written in crystal clear language that is accessible to general readers, it is a must-read for anyone interested in how impact finance can help unleash private capital for a sustainable future." – Donghyun Park, Principal Economist, Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department, Asian Development Bank

"A sustainable future requires vast investments for environmental and social goals. At the same time, huge amounts of private finance are desperately searching for productive investment opportunities. Therefore, the fundamental challenge facing finance in the 21st century is harnessing and leveraging private capital for green and social investments. Innovative financial instruments such as impact bonds help reconcile private greed with public good. I strongly recommend Greed Gone Good for anyone interested in understanding how impact bonds satisfy the profit motive of investors and foster a more sustainable society." – Shu Tian, Economist, Economic Research and Regional Development Department, Asian Development Bank

"Read this book and you’ll see why Professor Jane Hughes was consistently selected by MBA students as 'best teacher.' In Greed Gone Good Professor Hughes brings her skill at taking complex issues – globalization, market forces, financial models, technology capabilities, governance issues, and more – to make them accessible in ways that clarify their vital interdependence. She stresses in no uncertain terms the importance of addressing the environmental crisis, immense social issues, and good, ethical corporate governance as keys to nothing less than the future of the world. By providing a way forward she shows us that while financial success is a good thing, it’s not the only thing that matters."-- Prof. Patricia Deyton, Associate Dean (ret.), Simmons University School of Business

"At once scholarly and entertaining, GGG provides a clear, cohesive roadmap for investors of private capital to embrace, rather than reject, capitalism to meet the ESG demands of their investors and consumers. With an impressive balance of economic theory and practical examples, the author offers data-driven evidence and tools to substantiate the incremental returns generated by the deliberate alignment of business and social interests. GGG is a timely and relevant read for investment managers who will be compelled to focus on ESG initiatives as key criteria."-- Colleen Love, CFO and CCO, Stride Consumer Partners

"Investors have long assumed that for-profit businesses operate with one goal: to make money. Hughes argues that investment capital can improve the environment, social conditions, and governance, while at the same time those investments can generate strong financial returns. She pulls from her extensive experience to summarize results and opportunities in microfinance, impact equity, impact bond investments and sustainable banking. Business leaders and potential investors will appreciate this balanced, readable, and comprehensive overview, illustrated with many case studies." -- Catherine Robbins, former healthcare finance executive