Q&A with Cary Yates, Wells Fargo market growth & development manager
Q. In what ways is Wells Fargo a “green company?”
A. When customers bank with us, they can be confident that they are doing business with a company that is headed in the direction of “Enviably Green.”
Specifically, that means when we lend money we strive to lend to companies that are environmentally responsible within their industries per our Environmental and Social Risk Management policy and we strive to support a greener economy via finance for renewable energy and clean technology. For example, projects owned in whole or in part by Wells Fargo produced 11 percent of U.S. solar photovoltaic and wind energy generation in 2014.
Q. What are some examples of environmental stewardship that relate specifically to your Community Banking customers?
A. We innovate to help our customers reduce waste. For example, Wells Fargo was the first to market with envelope-free ATMs, and now multiple initiatives companywide to help our customers reduce paper waste such as online disclosures, email ATM receipt options, online mortgage applications, digital deposits and withdrawals, and more.
Also, we strive to improve the environmental performance of our operations. This includes reducing our absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent below 2008 levels by 2020. As of the end of 2014, we achieved a 25 percent reduction.
Q. What are some of the tangible benefits for customers to go “green” with Wells Fargo?
A. The decision for a customer to go paperless will not only reduce waste for the environment but it’s easier to keep track of statements. No more digging around your desk for papers—it’s all there conveniently online.
This year, a Houston couple recently won a $35,000 Wells Fargo Online® Home Mortgage Tax Documents Sweepstakes when they switched to online-only delivery of their home mortgage tax documents. Now that is what I call going paperless, and winning!
Cary Yates is the market growth & development manager for Wells Fargo in Houston. He can be reached at 713-319-1724.