On Thursday, Feb. 18, Biola University’s Crowell School of Business Dean, Dr. Gary Lindblad, virtually rang the opening New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Bell, marking the start of trading for the day on the world’s largest stock exchange. Representatives from Biola were invited alongside Inspire Investing to participate in the ringing of the NYSE Bell in celebration of the four year anniversary of Inspire 100 exchange-traded funds (ETF).

The ringing of the opening bell was in celebration of the growth of the Inspire 100 ETF and of Biola’s Inspire Research Institute For Biblically Responsible Investing, which is led by Biola professor of finance, Dr. Shane Enete.

“I was honored to virtually ring the bell on behalf of Biola’s impressive personal financial planning and financial management students and faculty,” said Lindblad. “Being asked is a testament to Dr. Enete’s work at the Crowell School of Business and with Inspire Investing.”

Created in partnership with Inspire Investing, the Inspire Research Institute for Biblically Responsible Investing seeks to research, explore and provide resources on investing in ways that are consistent with biblical principles. The ringing of the NYSE Bell is an honor given only to companies with stocks or ETFs listed on the exchange. The bell is used to mark the start and end of trading each day on the world’s largest stock exchange.

“Celebrating the four year anniversary of when these ETF products were first introduced to the NYSE was very special,” said Enete. “As an investment committee member of Inspire Investing, it has been exciting to help develop ETF investment products that make a real difference in the lives of Christians. These ETF investment products allow Christians to immerse their investment lives in a Biblical worldview.”

At the ringing, the CEO of Inspire Investing displayed a sign with “Jesus Saves” on it, an unusual occurrence for a typical NYSE Bell ringing event. Biola was invited to participate as an institution that supports the goal of values-based investing with a Biblical worldview. Inspire currently has many ETFs that trade on the NYSE. Feb. 18 marked the four year anniversary for the first two ETFs that trade on the NYSE.

Enete has researched Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) for six years, and has published various white papers for Inspire and the research institute during that time.

“As these BRI products reach their five year history mark, I plan on publishing a few journal articles related to their characteristics and risk-adjusted performance, as compared to other non-values-based products and other types of value-based products,” said Enete.

In Fall 2021, Biola will launch a Graduate Certificate in Personal Financial Planning, a fully online, graduate-level certificate program designed to prepare students to become a Certified Financial Planner™. Biola’s financial planning curriculum seamlessly integrates the Bible with program coursework, equipping students to engage with finances in a way that glorifies God.

Learn more about Crowell School of Business.

Written by Sarah Dougher, media relations assistant. For more information, contact Jenna Loumagne, assistant director of strategic communications and media relations, at media.relations@biola.edu.