ABOUT US creative: \kre^at^iv\ adj.. 1. having the power of something produced through innovation and skill rather than imitation. creative investment research: \kre^at^iv in^vestment ri^search\ company. 1. a minority-owned firm using innovation and skill to produce investment services and products. Creative Investment Research, Incorporated is an independent investment research and management firm, founded in 1989. We own and manage www.minoritybank.com and www.minorityfinance.com. The firm specializes in community development and socially responsible investing. We have been certified as a minority-owned company. The Community Development Financial Institution Fund of the U.S. Department of the Treasury certified the firm as a Community Development Entity on August 29, 2003. Core beliefs Domestic financial markets are broad and well functioning, for the most part. These markets have, however, ignored investment opportunities in markets populated by minorities and women. Certain institutions have been the beneficiaries of an unprecedented increase in financial market activity and asset values. For these institutions, devoting even a small percentage of assets to markets populated by minorities and women will help even the distribution of income and wealth, contribute to domestic political and economic stability, and earn a competitive return. It is our belief that investors, women, and minorities are well served by these efforts. Mission Objectively furnish financial research and consulting services to institutions and others investing in minority markets. Client interests ALWAYS come first. Operating philosophy Our independence is critical. We have, over the years, observed a growing lack of objectivity in the financial markets. This lack of objectivity is less important during times of increasing asset values, but we believe independence and the objectivity it allows will become important when markets stumble. Investment Performance We believe it possible to create investments and portfolios that perform well financially and that address social concerns. We have uncovered many investment opportunities of this type. New Tools We have developed several new social or targeted investment instruments and methods. Given recent developments in information technology, it is much easier to create very powerful analysis tools to assist investment decision making. These tools and techniques allow institutional investors to allocate funds for targeted social purpose investing in an ERISA complaint, market-based manner. We pioneered the systematic use of financial and social data in the selection and evaluation of financial institutions when we created the first social and financial impact methodology, the Fully Adjusted Return® index, in 1991. We developed the first CRA securitization. (MBS pool backed by loans from minority financial institutions. Investment first proposed in 1992.) We helped create a refinancing plan for victims of property flipping in Minneapolis. We developed a proposal for the first CRA-linked equity investment.(Equity investment tied to Community Reinvestment Act rating.) We participated in and helped create the first NBA team-sponsored financial literacy program. We developed a proposal for a faith-based, World Bank-backed microcredit bond. Our Record We have been active in social investing for some time: Sponsor: 15th Annual SRI in the Rockies Conference. Thursday, October 7, 2004. Keystone, Colorado.Topic: Corporate and Mutual Fund Scandals in Review. Sponsor: 13th Annual SRI in the Rockies Conference. Thursday, October 20, 2002. The Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs, Colorado Topic: The New Markets Tax Credit Program: Guide for Social Investors. SPI-Finance - a project undertaken by a group of financial institutions from Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland and the UK. It aims to develop key performance indicators for the financial industry covering social performance. Ethical Investing. Social investing conference, Stuttgart, Germany. Held on April 4th and 5th, 2001. Described an approach to social investing. Strategies for Tomorrow's Natural Gas Industry: A "How To" Workshop for Minority Entrepreneurs and Industry Personnel. U.S. Department of Energy. July 17 - 19, 1996. Television, newspaper and magazine articles CONTACT