As of July 2, 2007, all existing and new HSBC Bank Account, HSBC Basic Bank Account, HSBC Plus and HSBC Premier Current Account customers have the option of opening or switching to the green option of an HSBC current account.
Customers who choose to go green will not receive paper monthly statements, check books, paying-in books, letters or paper direct mail relating to their current account. The bank is also piloting a system to allow customers to request their terms and conditions and other account documentation electronically, as an alternative to providing paper copies.
In addition, a GBP5 donation for every account opened until August 26, 2007, will be shared between WWF, Earthwatch and The Climate Group.
The green option also features a number of green discounts including up to GBP70 savings with Ecotricity, which will provide customers with free energy-efficient light bulbs; 10% off every order from the Natural Collection; 40% off Ecologist magazine standard subscription, and 20% off the first order at Goodness Direct.
HSBC’s head of current accounts, Mike Oliver, said that the green current account options were developed to offer customers a straightforward way to reduce their impact on the environment.
For us, this is another step on our journey towards greener banking. We already plan to extend the green bank account option to Student, Graduate and Youth accounts in the next few months and we are looking to launch more green initiatives and products going forward, he added.
