Green Bank Report: Finding the best green banking deals and rates http://greenbankreport.com The best green deals and rates from eco-friendly banks Thu, 09 May 2013 18:25:06 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 Exciting Green Banking News from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania http://greenbankreport.com/eco-friendly-banking/exciting-green-banking-news-from-philadelphia-pennsylvania/ http://greenbankreport.com/eco-friendly-banking/exciting-green-banking-news-from-philadelphia-pennsylvania/#comments Thu, 09 May 2013 18:23:01 +0000 Green Bank Report http://greenbankreport.com/?p=2539  

Beneficial Bank in Philadelphia opened two new branches with eco-friendly designs aimed at improving energy efficiency.

 

Eco-conscious highlights include:

 

•       Heating systems that have a 93 percent efficiency rating and reduce energy consumption 13 percent greater than current energy standards
•       LED and CFL light bulbs that reduce energy consumption by up to 50 percent
•       Ceiling tiles made of 65 percent pre-consumer waste and 15 percent post-consumer waste
•       PVC-free task chairs and guest chairs that are Green Guard Certified and use an average of 30 percent recycled materials
•       Low flow toilets and automatic faucets that reduce water usage by up to forty percent

 

More information on Beneficial Bank

]]> http://greenbankreport.com/eco-friendly-banking/exciting-green-banking-news-from-philadelphia-pennsylvania/feed/ 0 World’s Greenest Bank in 2013: Don’t Ask Bloomberg http://greenbankreport.com/green-bank-deals/worlds-greenest-bank-in-2013-dont-ask-bloomberg/ http://greenbankreport.com/green-bank-deals/worlds-greenest-bank-in-2013-dont-ask-bloomberg/#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:48:56 +0000 Green Bank Report http://greenbankreport.com/?p=2528  

 

 

Bloomberg is out with its list of the World’s Greenest Banks but the ranking really doesn’t amount to a hill of beans.

 

To even be considered for the list, a bank had to be part of a major stock market index and boast a market cap of at least $10B. At the end of the day, Bloomberg only considered 62 large global banks out of a banking universe of thousands.

 

For the record, Citigroup topped the Bloomberg list.

 

Looking for a real green bank? Try New Resource Bank or Triodos Bank

]]> http://greenbankreport.com/green-bank-deals/worlds-greenest-bank-in-2013-dont-ask-bloomberg/feed/ 0 The Leaders in Green Banking for 2013 http://greenbankreport.com/eco-friendly-banking/the-leaders-in-green-banking-for-2013/ http://greenbankreport.com/eco-friendly-banking/the-leaders-in-green-banking-for-2013/#comments Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:05:50 +0000 Green Bank Report http://greenbankreport.com/?p=2521  

Green banking is a term that can be thrown around pretty loosely but to be a member of the Global Alliance for Banking Value a bank has to back it up.

Criteria for inclusion:

1) The entity needs to be an independent and licensed banks with a focus on retail customers.

2) A minimum balance sheet of $50 million is required.

3) The institution should be committed to social banking and the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit.

 

Global Alliance for Banking Values member banks

 

Affinity Credit Union

Alternative Bank Schweiz AG

Assiniboine Credit Union

Banca Popolare Etica Banco Fie

BancoSol

bankmecu

BRAC

Centenary Bank

Crédit Coopératif

Cultura Bank

First Green Bank

GLS Bank

Merkur Cooperative Bank

Mibanco, Banco de la Microempresa

New Resource Bank

OnePacificCoast Bank

SAC Apoyo Integral, S.A.

Sunrise Community Banks

Triodos Bank

Vancity

XacBank

 

]]> http://greenbankreport.com/eco-friendly-banking/the-leaders-in-green-banking-for-2013/feed/ 0 Powerhouse Global Bank Proving Green Banking Can Work http://greenbankreport.com/eco-friendly-banking/powerhouse-global-bank-proving-green-banking-can-work/ http://greenbankreport.com/eco-friendly-banking/powerhouse-global-bank-proving-green-banking-can-work/#comments Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:04:54 +0000 Green Bank Report http://greenbankreport.com/?p=2517  

Triodos Bank says it saw a 16% increase in lending to sustainable businesses and projects during 2012. The global bank increased its customer base by 23% and profits by 31%. Part of the influx of business for the bank is attributed to the rash of negative news on large investment banks such as Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and Bank of America.

]]> http://greenbankreport.com/eco-friendly-banking/powerhouse-global-bank-proving-green-banking-can-work/feed/ 0 Solar Powered ATMs launched by UAE Bank http://greenbankreport.com/green-bank-deals/solar-powered-atms-launched-by-uae-bank/ http://greenbankreport.com/green-bank-deals/solar-powered-atms-launched-by-uae-bank/#comments Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:40:48 +0000 Green Bank Report http://greenbankreport.com/?p=2515  

The National Bank of Abu Dhabi becomes the first bank in the United Arab Emirates to install a solar-powered ATM for use by customers. The bank has an ultimate goal to install solar-powered ATMs in all its 110 branches and add another 430 solar-powered stand alone ATM machines.

]]> http://greenbankreport.com/green-bank-deals/solar-powered-atms-launched-by-uae-bank/feed/ 0 The Highest Savings Rates on Cash Accounts for 2013 http://greenbankreport.com/savings-rates/the-highest-savings-rates-on-cash-accounts-for-2013/ http://greenbankreport.com/savings-rates/the-highest-savings-rates-on-cash-accounts-for-2013/#comments Mon, 24 Dec 2012 16:10:17 +0000 Chris Lentz http://greenbankreport.com/?p=2512  

Needless to say high savings rates are impossible to find in this low-rate environment mandated by the Federal Reserve. Savers can still beat the rates offered by their local banks or brokerage firms for cash if they consider the following options:

 

I-Series Bonds - Theses savings bonds issued by the Treasury Department pay 1.76% through April 30, 2013 after which they will be adjusted for inflation. Minimum deposit is $25 and the maximum purchase is $10K via TreasuryDirect online.

1-year CDs – By purchasing a 5-year CD and taking the penalty after a year, a rate of return above market rates for a year can be achieved. Ally Bank (1.34% APY) and Barclays Bank (1.27%) are two banks to consider with this strategy. Jumno CD buyers can find a 1.16% rate at State Bank of India, while Doral Bank has a 1.15% online CD for the one-year term.

Money Market accounts – EverBank is in the game with a 1.01% APY for deposit of up to $50K. This is a bonus rate offer for first time customers. Reward Checking Accounts – A large number of banks offer reward checking rates over 2% if monthly requirements are met. Check the list at DepositAccount.com or MoneyRates.com for the best deal in your area.

 

Find more CD and savings rates at SavingsFive.com

]]> http://greenbankreport.com/savings-rates/the-highest-savings-rates-on-cash-accounts-for-2013/feed/ 0 Best CD rates for Locking Up Cash for 5 Years to 2017 http://greenbankreport.com/cd-rates/best-cd-rates-for-locking-up-cash-for-5-years-to-2017/ http://greenbankreport.com/cd-rates/best-cd-rates-for-locking-up-cash-for-5-years-to-2017/#comments Fri, 21 Sep 2012 18:19:42 +0000 Green Bank Report http://greenbankreport.com/?p=2509  

Will the Fed’s Zero Interest Rate Policy (ZIRP) be a relic by 2017?

It’s hard to say for sure, but it is a safe bet that you can do better in a 5-year CD right for the period than rolling over 6-month and one-year CDs at lowly rates. If your savings situation requires a 5-year time horizon, lock it in and dream of those rollover rates in 2017.

 

Best 5-year CD rates (September 2012)


1. CIT Bank 1.83%

2. iGObanking.com 1.73%

3. Discover Bank 1.73%

4. Ally Bank 1.68%

5. Doral Bank 1.68%

 

See the complete list of highest yielding CD rates.

 

]]> http://greenbankreport.com/cd-rates/best-cd-rates-for-locking-up-cash-for-5-years-to-2017/feed/ 0 Bank Money Market Yields Beat Money Fund Yields http://greenbankreport.com/money-market-rates/bank-money-market-yields-beat-money-fund-yields/ http://greenbankreport.com/money-market-rates/bank-money-market-yields-beat-money-fund-yields/#comments Tue, 18 Sep 2012 21:53:14 +0000 Green Bank Report http://greenbankreport.com/?p=2502  

Are you kidding with these rates?

 

Retail mutual fund money markets have reached the tipping point with yields dipping to almost 0%. If you hold funds in most money markets at brokerage firms, after fees, you are paying them for the honor. Even cash held at one of the top three yielding money funds in the nation won’t earn more than $10 for accounts of over $10,000.

 

Highest Yielding Money Market Funds

 

1. Flex-funds Money Market Retail 0.10%
2. Delaware Cash Reserve 0.10%
3. Fidelity Select Money Market Portfolio 0.09%

 

With bank money market accounts at least you can earn over 1.00% and cut into how much inflation eats away the purchasing power of your cash. You also have useful online banking and checkwriting options.

 

Highest Yielding Bank Money Market Accounts (FDIC-Insured)

 

1. UFB Direct 1.10%,  http://www.ufbdirect.com
2. Union Federal Savings Bank 1.05%, http://www.unionfsb.com
3. Incredible Bank 1.05%, http://www.incrediblebank.com

 

 

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