The State Bank in Falcon invited the public to learn about a greener way to bank on Earth Day, April 22. Not only is the new Redi checking account better for the earth, it also adds green to the bank account.The open house at State Bank’s Falcon branch offered light hors d’oeuvres, balloons for the kids and a 5.1 percent APY (annual percentage yield) checking account.”We want to reward customers for using electronic banking,” said Annette Causey, senior vice president.To qualify for the account, members must make 12 debit card transactions, set up direct deposit and receive electronic statements, Causey said.With fewer checks, bills and statements; the account cuts down paper in all aspects of banking. The Redi checking account also rewards customers for using the ultimate form of paper recycling – cash. Customers who qualify will receive ATM fee refunds up to $25 per month.Switching to online banking is an easy way to live green. A report by Javelin Strategy & Research shows the country could save 16.5 million trees per year if all U.S. households stopped receiving paper statements.Online banking also reduces the resources required to make, ship and ultimately discard paper, according to the Javelin report.Each year, the United States would save 26 million BTUs, enough energy to power a city the size of San Francisco. Toxic air pollutants would be cut by 3.9 billion pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents, the same as taking 355,015 cars off the road; wastewater would drop by 13 billion gallons (enough to fill 19,846 swimming pools) and 1.6 billion pounds of solid waste (56,000 fully loaded garbage trucks) would be eliminated.Falcon residents lined up at the State Bank to sign up for the new account. “We’ve been slammed,” said Kevin Ray, vice president. Ray said the new account is great for people who already do much of their banking online, and it’s an incentive for those who don’t.”I check my balance online every two to three days. Why do I need a paper statement at the end of the month?” Ray said.Putting to rest security fears, Ray said that electronic banking is safe. “If I write a check at the grocery store, the clerk sees my name, address, phone number, driver’s license, account and routing numbers. If I use a debit card for the same transaction, the only information seen is the last four numbers of my card.”To start banking green, visit the State Bank at 7495 McLaughlin Road in Falcon.
