NEI Investments

"No one knows our network of independent sub-advisors quite like the NEI Investment Team, which allows us to see the world through multiple lenses. This unique perspective enables them to tactically and strategically manage our asset allocation solutions in varying market cycles."

- John Bai, SVP and Chief Investment Officer

Company Profile

NEI Investments is 100% Canadian owned—50% by Desjardins Group and 50% by the Provincial Credit Union Centrals. NEI Investments exclusively partners with both global and boutique investment management firms to operate its lineup of mutual funds; managing over $8.3 billion in assets for individual investors.

NEI focuses on true active management and a disciplined risk management process. Through its portfolio manager section and monitoring process, offers a comprehensive breadth of product line-up and strategies; that are typically reserved to pension funds and high net worth clients—offering investments as solutions that are designed to meet the needs of investors today. NEI Investments is a signatory of the United Nations' Principles for Responsible Investment.

Investment Approach

The NEI Investment Team uses a top-down asset allocation approach to manage the active underlying components of the investments they oversee. The Team regularly collaborates to discuss a broad range of economic, valuation and market sentiment viewpoints. These inputs along with a deep familiarity with each sub advisors strategy style and bias help them determine asset allocation decisions – whether they be for strategic or more tactical investment objectives.

Funds Managed

NEI Balanced Yield Portfolio

NEI Conservative Yield Portfolio

NEI ESG Canadian Enhanced Index Fund (formerly NEI Jantzi Social Index Fund)

Lead Managers

John Bai, CFA SVP and Chief Investment Officer 25 years of helping advisors build and grow their practice John joined NEI in May of 2019 and is responsible for the firm’s asset allocation and investment strategy, sub-advisor research and due diligence, and is a key partner in building strong relationships with our advisor community in both the Credit Union and Intermediary channels. John brings more than 25 years of investment industry experience, having worked for some of Canada’s top financial institutions. Prior to joining NEI, John led product and investment teams at Merrill Lynch Canada, TD, Dynamic Mutual Funds and HollisWealth. There he founded and chaired asset allocation and investment portfolio committees, led manager oversight activities and was responsible for research teams that covered equities, fixed income, mutual funds, ETFs and alternative products. John holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance and Economics from the University of Toronto and is a CFA Charterholder.

Will Benton, CFA, CAIA Director and Portfolio Manager Will Benton joined Aviso Wealth in 2013 as part of NEI Investments. As a Portfolio Manager and Director of Manager Research & Oversight he is responsible for sub-advisor selection and oversight as well as their integration into the asset allocation process. He is also responsible for external manager research across entire Aviso Wealth. Will is also a voting member of the NEI Asset Allocation Committee. Will received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the Queen’s University and holds both the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designation.