|
|
Creating an Environmental Management System
Concern for the environment in business activities is an important management issue at Hyakugo Bank. We have always worked to reduce our impact on the environment, and recently created an environmental management system at the Head Office Building and the Business Center Building to promote more organized and systematic activities.
This environmental management system meets international standards and received ISO 14001 certification in November 1999. Since then, we have continued to operate and improve the system to fulfill our environmental policy.
We extended the environmental management system to include the Information Center Building starting in April 2004, and acquired ISO 14001 expanded certification in November 2004. |
| Hyakugo Bank Environmental Policy |
Philosophy |
| Hyakugo Bank will act in accordance with the Hyakugo Bank Corporate Philosophy as a provider of financial services. As a regional bank based in Mie Prefecture, a region with abundant natural beauty, we realize the impact our business activities have on the environment, and will continually carry out environmental activities in accordance with the environmental policy below to lessen our impact on both the regional and global environment. |
Policy |
- Compliance with environment-related laws and regulations
We will obey all environment-related laws and regulations, and will make continuous efforts to improve environmental protection in our business procedures.
- Promotion of resource and energy conservation and prevention of pollution
By reducing our use of paper and electric power and creating a paper recycling system, we will work to lessen our environmental impact and prevent environmental pollution.
- Continuation and enhancement of environment preservation activities
By taking measures to clearly state environmental objectives and targets and periodically reviewing our environmental management system, we will work to continually enhance our environmental preservation activities and environmental management system.
- Promotion of educational activities
We will promote educational activities to deepen every employee’s awareness of environmental issues and carry out specific activities.
- Disclosure of environmental policy
We distribute this environmental policy in electronic form.
In addition, we also disclose this policy upon request from outside parties.
Policy established on June 23, 1999
August 1, 2001
Hajimu Maeda
President
The Hyakugo Bank, Ltd.
|
|
Major Environmental Activities in the Year Ended March 2007
Hyakugo Bank has worked to reduce consumption of paper and electric power and promote recycling of paper waste at its Head Office Building and the Business Center Building (which includes the Information Center since 2004). The resulting volumes of paper and electricity used are shown in the graphs below. The increase in consumption from the year ended March 2005 to the year ended March 2007 was due to the development of a new system, and exceeded our initial projection. The new system began full-scale operation on May 6, 2007, and we expect to achieve a reduction in the future.
Our paper waste recycling rate was 86.75 percent, clearing our target rate of 86 percent. We will continue working to raise the recycling rate toward our medium-term target of 88 percent, and will also take measures to reduce and avoid generating unnecessary waste.
Hyakugo Bank also actively collaborated with local communities. We conducted the summer “Eco Style” program, participated in an environmental fair, and conducted cooperative activities as a key member of the Mie Green Purchasing Club, which was established to promote the purchase of environmentally friendly “green products.” Through such initiatives, we demonstrated our approach to the environment and worked to reduce our environmental impact in cooperation with the prefecture and local businesses.
Hyakugo Bank also provides support for and participates in a corporate reforestation project run by Mie Prefecture. In October 2006, 118 Bank officers, employees and family members participated in reforestation activities at “Hyakugo Forest” near Shakujyo Lake in Geinocho, Tsu. |
|
Environment-Related Financial Products
Hyakugo Bank works to support customers who take a forward-looking approach to environmental issues. Our loan products include the Hyakugo Environmentally Friendly Product Purchasing Loan, the Hyakugo ISO Loan, the Hyakugo ACPD Construction Preferential Loan and the Environmentally Friendly Housing Preferential Rate Loan. We also handle the Eco Fund as an investment trust product.
In April 2007, to offer financial back-up for companies that actively conduct CSR in areas including the environment and compliance, Hyakugo Bank began handling Hyakugo CSR Financing at preferential loan rates and Hyakugo CSR Private Placement Bonds for private bond offerings at preferential interest rates.
In addition, our subsidiary Hyakugo Economic Research Institute provides consulting for acquisition of ISO 14001 certification.
At Hyakugo Bank, we realize that caring for the environment is a prerequisite for sustainable development of regional economies. As a regional bank based in Mie Prefecture, a region with abundant natural beauty and advanced environmental protection measures, we will continually work to lessen our impact on the environment. |
|
