PNC Bank Leads 'Green' Approach to Retail Business to Make Branches Friendly to Customers and the Environment

PNC Bank Leads 'Green' Approach to Retail Business to Make
Branches Friendly to Customers and the Environment 


PITTSBURGH, March 14  /PRNewswire/ -- Creating a bank that is both friendly to
customers as well as the environment is no small feat.

But PNC Bank, with nearly 800 bank branches and 23,000 employees nationwide,
has made integrating its business practices with environmental responsibility a
top priority.

"As a bank we recognize the importance of wise investments and that the
integration of green principles into our business practices enhances the value
we deliver to customers, shareholders, communities and employees," says Neil
Hall, CEO of regional community banking at PNC. "Good environmental sense makes
good economic sense."

PNC has begun an ambitious effort to ensure new branches meet U.S. Green
Building Council standards. The bank already has 10 environmentally friendly
buildings, with plans to build at least 90 such branches with even more
rigorous standards. PNC would be the first U.S. company to employ a "volume
build" strategy for green buildings. Features of these buildings include:

   - Window walls:  These feature a "four-element assembly" with two sheets
     of glass sandwiching two sheets of film. Layers isolate extreme
     temperatures, keeping the building cool when it's hot outside and vice
     versa.
   - Masonry walls: Pre-cast polymer material allows branches to be quickly
     and economically built. They are manufactured off-site, resulting in
     less construction waste.
   - Interior: Countertops are made of recycled paper and sustainable wood.
     Cabinetry is made of wheat board, a byproduct of wheat processing,
     instead of plywood, while the use of rubber flooring and steel is also
     sustainable as is recycled content in carpeting, wall covering and
     fabric for furniture.



"Customers are proud to do business with a socially responsible company and
communities favor new construction and economic growth with minimal impact on
local resources," says Gary Saulson, director of corporate real estate at PNC.
"We also see improvements in the health and well-being of employees. In one
PNC-green building, employee satisfaction was higher and retention improved 50
percent."

The construction cost of a "green branch" is the same as a traditional branch.
However, construction time is four to five weeks faster, resulting in a 75
percent reduction in waste. The bank has also contracted to store and recycle
material that would normally go to a landfill. Also:

   - Daylight maximizes natural light without creating interior glare or
     heat; natural light both saves energy (7 percent energy reduction) and
     provides greater comfort for customers and employees.
   - Solar energy photovoltaic panels on the roof capture and convert
     sunlight to energy, providing 10 percent of building energy.
   - Water collected from the roof will be used to flush toilets, decreasing
     waste water by more than 50 percent and overall water consumption by
     40 percent.



The environmentally friendly approach will be housed inside branches designed
by Gensler, the world's largest architectural firm. A simulated "brick" pattern
with an atrium creates a sleek, contemporary look. Other customer-centric
features include:

   - Concierge desk: PNC employees can provide general information and
     guidance for services.
   - Teller stations: Four inside branch and one drive-thru
   - Internet Cafe: Two computers with Web access to view PNC AccountLink
     info
   - Plasma screens: Display business-related news and information
   - Information Kiosk: Details of PNC products/services, community and
     environmental info



For more information or images of PNC Bank's newly designed branches, contact
Patrick McMahon of PNC's corporate communications department at 412-762-2477 or
 

DATASOURCE: PNC Bank



CONTACT:  Patrick McMahon of PNC Financial Services Group,

[phone], or  



Web site:  http://www.pnc.com/ 



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