Biwako Bank¡Çs Financial Services Support Environmental Activities

Biwako Bank in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, has started to offer a variety of financial services to support environment-friendly activities.

Biwako Bank offers what it calls "Eco Life Loans" as one of its personal financial services, with interest at 0.3 to 0.5 percent lower than the bank's standard rates for similar kinds of loans, for constructing or purchasing new houses with solar power generating systems, installing photovoltaic panels or sewerage systems, and buying low-emission vehicles for private use.

For business customers, the bank also finances the expenses and equipment investments related to ISO (environmental management system) certification, and investments for purchasing equipment and products that have lower environmental impacts.

The bank has contributed to environmental activities since 1975 by offering trees to local temples, shrines, and primary schools in every spring and autumn, financing local activities such as greening and water quality control, and supporting forestry volunteers. Additionally, the bank has established a new "Environmental Bank" internally, to support activities within the bank for the preservation of nature.




Posted: 2003/09/27 11:51:50 AM
Japanese version