BNZ encourages online customers to cut statements and grow trees

Bank of New Zealand has launched an online campaign encouraging online banking customers to give up paper statements in return for a native tree.

From this week until the end of September customers will be prompted to opt-into receiving online statements when they log into the Bank’s internet banking service. And for every customer who signs up the Bank will arrange for a native tree to be planted by the Motuihe Island Restoration Project, a charitable trust working to create a habitat for kiwi and other native birdlife on the Hauraki Gulf island.

The campaign, which forms part of the Bank’s commitment to be carbon neutral by 2010, is expected to remove in excess of 120,000 statements from circulation. The initiative is the latest in a series of practical moves by the Bank to reduce paper consumption which has already seen smaller cheque books in business banking, the removal of business reply envelopes, and double-sided printing of credit card statements.

General Manager Strategy and Marketing, Blair Vernon says the move to online statements makes sense for the Bank, its customers and the environment.

``We think the campaign will prove a real draw for customers who have already chosen to simplify their everyday banking by going online. Online statements are an easier and more secure way to manage your accounts – the benefits being that they can be saved to your computer and are available anytime of the day or night.’’

``Aside from the convenience, there will be many online customers who appreciate the clear environmental benefits to be gained from reducing the amount of paper statements they receive from the Bank.’’

Vernon says the Bank has a link with the Motuihe Island Restoration Project through Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust - and staff volunteers are already contributing to the planting of native trees on the island.

``By replacing paper statements with native trees we’re making a tangible contribution to the establishment of a pest free habitat for kiwi and other birdlife on Motuihe.’’

For further information about the campaign visit: www.bnz.co.nz/growtrees.