Canadians embrace option with reduced environmental impact
Trend toward electronic account statements noted by RBC
TORONTO, November 21, 2007 — Environmentally
friendly eStatements reached the two million mark and the
move to electronic statements is becoming a growing trend
among RBC’s 4.2 million online banking clients.
"Two million fewer account statements every month adds
up to significant environmental and economic savings,"
said Dave McKay, executive vice-president, Personal Financial
Services. "Clients who opt for eStatements rather than
paper can securely view, save, and print their bank statements,
from any computer with internet access. Additionally, eStatements
are maintained for client access within a virtual filing cabinet
for seven years."
The eStatement program has effectively conserved or avoided
the use of approximately 10,500 trees, 36 million litres of
water, 4.6 million kilowatts of electricity, 1,246 tonnes
of greenhouse gases and 499 tonnes of solid waste per year.
This is equivalent to 14 swimming pools full of water, taking
203 homes off the grid, 249 cars off the road, and eliminating
the need for 39 garbage trucks.
RBC's online statement offerings have continued to expand
since the first eStatement became available to personal banking
clients in July of 2006, and are helping to conserve Canada's
great natural spaces. Through its "Make a Statement with
your Statement" campaign, RBC aims to raise $1 million
for Nature Conservancy of Canada's (NCC) wilderness protection
and stewardship programs by contributing five dollars on behalf
of clients who choose electronic statements for RBC Homeline
Plan, Royal Credit Line, RBC Visa cards or personal banking
accounts. It is nearing its goal at over 80 per cent. Progress
reports are available at:
www.rbc.com/environment/what-you-can-do.html.
"The willingness of our clients to embrace the change
from paper to electronic record-keeping demonstrates a shared
commitment to reduce our impact on the environment and conserve
natural resources for future generations," added McKay.
"And this encourages us to continue developing retail
banking products and services that meet our clients' demand
for environmentally sustainable choices."
For more information on RBC's commitment to the environment,
visit www.rbc.com/environment.
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Media contact:
Judi Levita, (416) 974-8810
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