Christian Values Investing, Inc. (CVI) was incorporated in GA in early 1993. In May of 1993 CVI became a Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm in Savannah, GA specializing in “Christian values-driven investing”. Stephen Hammond, president of CVI, had a desire to offer investors the opportunity to invest in companies that are not actively contributing to the moral decline of our society. When Christian Values Investing became an RIA there was not one firm that screened stocks for traditional Judeo/Christian values. During this time period CVI described their style of investing as “Christian Stewardship Investing”. Throughout their early years they used “watchdog” groups such as the American Family Association and the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility to help us screen their stock portfolios. Later their style of investing was coined “Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI).”
Around the year 2000, Mr. Hammond started suffering from “The Elijah in the wilderness syndrome.” This syndrome’s main symptom is when a Christian develops the attitude that they are only one who is faithful. In 2004 while surfing the web Mr. Hammond found a new organization called the Christian Financial Professionals Network (CFPN). Immediately, Mr. Hammond joined the network and was one of the first members that was “Qualified”. In 2007, CFPN was re-named Kingdom Advisors. Today, there are over 4000 members of Kingdom Advisors. Mr. Hammond’s is joyful that God has so many Christian Advisors that have a Biblical Worldview. As a Qualified member of Kingdom Advisors, we emphasize our commitment to a God-centered approach to investing.
In December 2002, Mr. Hammond authored his first book, Mission Possible: An Investment Guide for Christians. Published by Pathway Press.
In 2005, Russ Miller CFA, suggested that Christian Values Investing create and manage biblically based model portfolios. Mr. Hammond proposed five investment models (Faith, Hope, Sanctuary, David & Joseph). All five were designed for a good long-term return and a focus on traditional Judeo/Christian values. Extensive values and investment research was done to create diversified, asset-allocated portfolios of securities of companies that reflected Christian values.
In October 2005, five Christian Values asset-allocation model accounts were created and invested for the institutional client. All the portfolios had positive characteristics based on modern portfolio theory, such as high alphas and high Sharpe ratios. Their model portfolios focus on uncovering Christian values in corporate America, such as integrity and servant leadership. CVI’s research process includes technical and fundamental analysis of companies but also employs specific moral screening criteria designed to avoid investing money in any company that has a pattern of contributing to the cultural degradation of our society. As a result, our screening process prohibits us from investing in companies that are involved in abortion, pornography, non-married lifestyles, as well as companies involved in the production of alcohol, tobacco or gambling. The positive screening approach we add to our research allows us to carefully research publicly traded corporations to find companies that best reflect traditional Christian values. The organizations that make it through this rigorous research process are placed in our model portfolios. Periodically throughout the year, each company is monitored to assure that it continues to meet Christian standards.
Our objective is to provide investors with a place they can invest their money in order to achieve their moral objectives without sacrificing investment return opportunities. CVI’s portfolios are investments that you can be proud of.
In the summer of 2006, Mr. Hammond relocated Christian Values Investing to 616 East Grady St. Statesboro, Georgia.