MINNEAPOLIS, Nov 09, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
U.S. Bank, lead bank of U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), has once again been
recognized for its environmental sustainability efforts. The company
placed 57th in Newsweek's recent ranking of the 500
largest American companies. It was one of only three banks that made the
top 100 in this prestigious poll, which rated the sustainable management
policies, programs and environmental reporting practices of companies
worldwide. Bank Technology News also recognized U.S. Bank this
year as one of America's Greenest Banks.
"While we continue to integrate green behaviors into our daily work
practices, products and services, it's great to be recognized for our
efforts," said Lisa O'Brien, senior vice president and director of
environmental affairs at U.S. Bank. "We've been able to reduce U.S.
Bank's electricity consumption by 4 percent from 2009 to 2010, which
translates to saving enough electricity to power the equivalent of 1,600
U.S. homes for one year." O'Brien added that since 2008, U.S.
Bank has loaned or invested more than $3 billion in
environmentally-beneficial business opportunities, such as renewable
energy, and LEED-certified commercial real estate.
In support of U.S. Bank's designation by the Environmental Protection
Agency as an ENERGY STAR(R) Partner, U.S. Bank is completing the upgrade
of more than 87,000 computer hardware devices to more energy efficient
equipment throughout its traditional and in-store branches and customer
support facilities across 25 states. In addition, it is collecting
energy and environmental data on U.S. Bank-owned sites to pinpoint areas
for further energy reductions and has built 13 new LEED certified
branches in the past two years in California, Illinois, Minnesota,
Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Wyoming. At U.S.
Bank's regional corporate offices throughout the country, lights were
turned off in support of Earth Hour.
U.S. Bank was the first major bank to introduce an auto loan that offers
a half-percent rate reduction for "Smart Way" vehicles certified by the
EPA as environmentally-friendly. Its customers are also rewarded with
the best loan rates if their payments are automatically deducted from
their checking account. This past Earth Day, U.S. Bank employees
purchased and planted 6,835 trees, and many take part in green team
activities throughout the year. To help educate and engage customers
around their personal impact, U.S. Bank posted a video on its YouTube
channel called "The Power of Us", and encourages customers to utilize
the tools on the PayItGreen.org website, where U.S. Bank is a founding
member.
U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), with $330 billion in assets as of Sept. 30,
2011, is the parent company of U.S. Bank, the fifth-largest commercial
bank in the United States. The company operates 3,089 banking offices in
25 states and 5,092 ATMs and provides a comprehensive line of banking,
brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services
products to consumers, businesses and institutions. U.S. Bancorp and its
employees are dedicated to improving the communities they serve, for
which the company earned the 2011 Spirit of America Award, the highest
honor bestowed on a company by United Way. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the web
at www.usbank.com.
SOURCE: U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank
Lisa H. Clark, 608-877- 7517
lisa.clark2@usbank.com
