West University Examiner - News
A bank where ‘green’ is more than just the color of money
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| Geoff Greenwade, president and CEO of Green Bank. |
By KIMBERLY KEEL
Notice the absence of toxic paint smells and irritating lighting and the inclusion of “Hybrid cars only” parking signs and a paper-recycling bin in the parking lot. You’ve entered Green Bank headquarters on the corner of Greenbriar Street and the Southwest Freeway.
“This building makes a statement,” said Mike Barone, head of marketing and branding for Green Bank.
Created in 2007, Green Bank is a Houston-based financial institution with one major difference from the others — an active role in the green movement.
Belinda-Lee Hall, executive vice president and manager of retail banking and treasury management sales for Green Bank, described how even the name of the company is catching people’s attention.
“The name reflects what our business is about and also what we’re interested in,” Hall said. “We’re not just a one-stop banking institution.”
Green Bank’s unique infrastructure includes everything from recycled plastic bottles made into cubicle screens to solar paneling on the exterior of the building. This allows a significant amount of natural light into the offices and also helps keep the building cool, preventing it from becoming a “heat island.”
“No employee ever complains of headaches or reactions to dust particles,” Hall said. “Over 90 percent of our bankers have access to outside views.”
Geoff Greenwade, president and chief executive officer of Green Bank, said that the bank’s business model works to reduce operating resources, create less waste and reward customers who chose environmentally-friendly service options for their accounts.
“Green Bank focuses on sustainability — we follow sound practices, choose the right path and work toward long-term goals,” Greenwade said. “These commitments were followed when we built one of the first LEED-gold registered buildings, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, in Houston.”
Even the cleaning crews are involved in keeping the building’s green flow at its best, scanning the garbage everyday for recyclable goods before throwing anything out.
Due to minimal damage from Hurricane Ike, cleanup was quick for Green Bank as its doors were open and ready for business the Monday morning after the storm.
“We pulled a listing of all of our customers, called them and made sure they knew we were there,” Hall said. “It was time for the bank to step up and help out.”
As for another cleanup, the financial crisis, Hall and Barone mentioned that Green Bank is secure, with no exposure to collateralized debt obligations, subprime mortgage loans or similar high-risk assets.
“We have a different story to tell,” Hall said, “and since we are a community-based bank, it makes it somewhat easier for us during this particular financial time. We’re even gaining relationships.”
Now with four branches in the Houston area, one in Austin, and one opening in The Woodlands in November, employees of Green Bank will continue expanding their customer service and educating others on the green movement.
“Green Bank is different in form and function,” Greenwade said. “The pay-off has been immediate; every day, we’re using fewer resources and customers really understand how we’re different.”
“This building makes a statement,” said Mike Barone, head of marketing and branding for Green Bank.
Created in 2007, Green Bank is a Houston-based financial institution with one major difference from the others — an active role in the green movement.
Belinda-Lee Hall, executive vice president and manager of retail banking and treasury management sales for Green Bank, described how even the name of the company is catching people’s attention.
“The name reflects what our business is about and also what we’re interested in,” Hall said. “We’re not just a one-stop banking institution.”
Green Bank’s unique infrastructure includes everything from recycled plastic bottles made into cubicle screens to solar paneling on the exterior of the building. This allows a significant amount of natural light into the offices and also helps keep the building cool, preventing it from becoming a “heat island.”
“No employee ever complains of headaches or reactions to dust particles,” Hall said. “Over 90 percent of our bankers have access to outside views.”
Geoff Greenwade, president and chief executive officer of Green Bank, said that the bank’s business model works to reduce operating resources, create less waste and reward customers who chose environmentally-friendly service options for their accounts.
“Green Bank focuses on sustainability — we follow sound practices, choose the right path and work toward long-term goals,” Greenwade said. “These commitments were followed when we built one of the first LEED-gold registered buildings, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, in Houston.”
Even the cleaning crews are involved in keeping the building’s green flow at its best, scanning the garbage everyday for recyclable goods before throwing anything out.
Due to minimal damage from Hurricane Ike, cleanup was quick for Green Bank as its doors were open and ready for business the Monday morning after the storm.
“We pulled a listing of all of our customers, called them and made sure they knew we were there,” Hall said. “It was time for the bank to step up and help out.”
As for another cleanup, the financial crisis, Hall and Barone mentioned that Green Bank is secure, with no exposure to collateralized debt obligations, subprime mortgage loans or similar high-risk assets.
“We have a different story to tell,” Hall said, “and since we are a community-based bank, it makes it somewhat easier for us during this particular financial time. We’re even gaining relationships.”
Now with four branches in the Houston area, one in Austin, and one opening in The Woodlands in November, employees of Green Bank will continue expanding their customer service and educating others on the green movement.
“Green Bank is different in form and function,” Greenwade said. “The pay-off has been immediate; every day, we’re using fewer resources and customers really understand how we’re different.”
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