Wells Fargo tops list of 'green' financial institutions

Dive Brief:

The U.S. Green Building Council has named Wells Fargo the “greenest” financial institution, with more than 17 million square feet of LEED-certified property.
Third-ranked Citi has the most LEED certifications—294—followed by No. 9 PNC Financial Services Group, top-ranked Wells Fargo and No. 2 Bank of America.
According to USGBC’s April Green Building Report, Wells Fargo has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 23% from 2008 levels and plans to cut emissions by 35% by 2020.

Dive Insight:

Green building has become a priority for financial institutions worldwide, as studies have proven that customers prefer to do business with eco-friendly bankers.

The USGBC study noted a Nielsen global survey on corporate social responsibility that showed 55% of consumers are willing to pay extra for products or services offered by companies that “are committed to positive social and environmental impact.”

Also, a Notre Dame study revealed that PNC Bank branches that were LEED certified brought in $3 million more in customer deposits and made more loans each year than other locations.