Survey: Poles want banks to be more eco-friendly

Respondents in the survey "Ecological attitudes of Poles" answered questions about the role and tasks of banks in the green transformation. They declared that they expect them to be involved and take numerous actions to protect the natural environment - both towards customers and themselves as an organisation.

When asked how banks should operate, they give a number of examples. As many as 71% of respondents believe that banks should encourage customers to use a mobile application or online banking, and 70% - to use electronic versions of documents. Both of these measures are aimed at reducing paper waste.

For most of our customers, the mobile application is the primary channel of contact with the Bank. Already 2.8 million of our customers actively use digital channels, of which 2.6 million are app users. In the application, they can apply for bank products, order payments, pay for shopping, buy tickets and gift cards, or even submit official applications. We are constantly developing mobile solutions and we see that this approach not only meets the daily needs of our customers, but also allows us to significantly reduce paper consumption. We already grant 84% of loans online, and customers set up 95% of deposits in digital channels. Almost half of the current accounts are opened remotely without the need to print the contract. Customers can find all documents in the app. Importantly, we combine mobile and traditional solutions. If the customer has doubts, for example when filling out a loan application, they can quickly get the support of our consultants. Customers can also confirm some transactions ordered in branches in the application and sign documents remotely — said Halina Karpińska, Director of the Electronic Banking Department.

In the survey "Ecological attitudes of Poles", respondents stated that they also expect preferential loan terms for individual customers leading an ecological lifestyle, i.e. for example those who have built ecological houses or modernised old houses. This was indicated by 69% of the respondents. The respondents also want banks to support green businesses (76% of respondents believe so), e.g. by granting loans on more favourable terms (65% of responses) or developing a special offer for them (57% of respondents).

The Poles surveyed want banks to improve the environmental situation as institutions. As many as 68% of them demand the installation of energy-saving lighting in headquarters and branches and waste segregation by employees. The same percentage of respondents believe that banks should modernise their buildings to reduce energy and water consumption. A slightly smaller number of respondents, which is 52%, would like banks to establish cooperation with environmental organisations. Less than half of the respondents would like banks to inform their customers about pro-ecological activities, and 35% would appreciate if bank employees were involved in volunteering.

PConducting business in the spirit of sustainable development has been an integral part of the Bank Millennium Group's business strategy for years. One of our key goals is to build awareness in this area among our stakeholders. We place particular emphasis on environmental and climate education. The Eco-index developed by our Bank fits perfectly into this trend — explained Magdalena Trzynadlowska, Director of the Sustainability Department.

Respondents were also asked whether they would transfer their main account to a bank that would stand out in terms of caring for the natural environment. Every second respondent gave an affirmative answer (every tenth would certainly do so). The youngest respondents aged 18-24 and respondents aged 35-49 would be most likely to decide to transfer their accounts.

The "Ecological attitudes of Poles" survey was carried out in August 2024 by the SW Research research agency for Bank Millennium on a representative sample of 1000 people using the CAWI method.

More information: www.bankmillennium.pllink otwiera się w nowym oknie.