Eco-Finance in Brazil: One Bank's Green Journey

By incorporating environmental risk into its credit analysis, Banco Real ensures that its suppliers and customers are environmentally and socially conscious. In addition to doing what�s right, the bank has enjoyed increased revenues and improved employee satisfaction as a result of its actions. The bank, part of Grupo Santander Brasil, began addressing environmental and social issues in 2000. Banco Real�s policies include ensuring that its suppliers provide good working conditions for their employees, having a diverse workforce, recycling and reusing, and using eco-efficient methods of manufacturing. The bank works with organizations such as the United Nations Environmental Financial Initiative and Friends of the Earth to lead both its suppliers and its customers toward environmental and social responsibility says Christopher Wells, Environmental Risk Manager, Banco Real.