Posted by Theresa Witham
As an editor for Credit Union Management, I take notice of interesting financial institution marketing, especially on TV. I live near Baltimore, and was impressed by the ads that PNC Bank has occasionally run in my market.
So I did a little research and learned that PNC, headquartered in Pittsburgh, has been committed to building green since 2000 and it applies green building standards to all new branches, claiming on its Web site and in television ads to have the most buildings on the entire planet certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.
More than 50 percent of the construction materials used in the bank's green buildings are locally manufactured or made from recycled or green materials--from the structural steel to the carpeting and fabrics throughout the building.
- Glass in the windows is three times more efficient than conventional glass.
- Natural "daylighting" is incorporated into all occupied areas of the building.
- Lighting fixtures and daylighting controls help minimize electricity use.
- Fresh air is used as much as possible. During moderate weather seasons, some buildings can be cooled and ventilated with 100 percent outside air.
- Reduced water usage results from the installation of dual-flush toilets (which give users a choice about how much water to use) and low-flow faucets.
- Heating and air conditioning systems use 35 percent less energy than traditional ones.
- Highly reflective roofing material reduces heat retention and is supported by trusses and plywood that come from managed forests, which plant multiple trees for each one cut down.
- Most everything is made from recycled material--from the steel structure to the carpet.
- Pre-manufactured exterior panels reduce construction waste.
- Roof projections were designed to shade the building interior from direct sunlight.
- Solar shades for windows block direct sunlight without eliminating daylight.
- The plants, adhesives and caulking used during construction do not contribute to greenhouse gases.
- Use of drought-resistant plants require little to no water.
- Green housekeeping procedures and green cleaning products are utilized.
The bank's corporate offices are also green. Plus, PNC works with real estate developers to determine if contaminated land, or "brownfield" sites, can be cleaned up and redeveloped for branches.
The bank applies its green efforts to all major construction projects. For example, if future development sites have existing buildings, they are "deconstructed" rather than demolished. For one project, this allowed the bank to salvage or reuse more than 90 percent of materials that would otherwise go to landfills.
What's good for the environment is good for employees, the bank says. A study found employee retention and satisfaction to be much higher at PNC Firstside Center, a U.S. Green Building Council LEED Silver certified building, than at similar traditional facilities.
And what's good for the environment is good for the bank's bottom line. PNC says the green practices can reduce its building operating costs by 35 percent or more. By improving natural lighting, heating and cooling, the bank says its employees are more comfortable and productive, and the gas and electric bills are reduced with advanced air-cooling systems. Plus, the HVAC technology takes advantage of seasonal pricing by using natural gas in the summer and electricity in the winter in select buildings.
PNC is not the only financial institution that is making a green commitment. Read several ways that CUs are getting greener in articles from the August 2009 "green theme" issue of Credit Union Management:
These CUs have promoted their green efforts to their members and their communities, fostering goodwill and showing their commitment to creating a better world. What is your credit union doing to support the environment, and how is it promoting its efforts?
Theresa Witham is a CUES editor.
Also read "Going Green Promotes Positive Press and Positive Impression" and "Going Green Neither Corny nor Idle" on CUES Skybox.
Learn how CUES saved $52,000 by making some small energy changes in CUES Cost Control Series: Facilities.
Learn more about green facilities in CUES Complete Guide to Credit Union Facilities.
