The Independent Community Bankers of America is encouraging its members to think green.
The trade group has partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency to participate in the Energy Star Challenge, an EPA initiative designed to help companies reduce their energy consumption.
The ICBA said the program could help community banks cut utility costs by 10%, or about $3,500 a year per branch.
The ICBA is sponsoring an online seminar, “Energy Efficiency 101 for Community Banks,” scheduled for Jan. 10. The seminar can be linked from the Web site the association has created for the Energy Star program, www.icba.org/goto/energystar.
The program offers data, tools, and strategies online to help community banks reduce energy consumption and emissions. Tips vary from replacing traditional light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones to new construction designs. Banks can also participate in a more in-depth program that allows them to track their before-and-after results.
ICBA is the only national banking trade association to partner with the EPA on the program, the group said.
