Whether you're concerned about convenience or the environment, going green with your finances is a win-win. Here are some of the most common questions about going green.

What are my options for digital banking?

In the age where errands can be done from your living room couch, banking is right there along with shopping for clothing or airline tickets.

Digital banking is growing greener with each technical advancement. Mobile banking helps the environment by saving the gas you’d need for the trip and the paper used for statements and receipts. Credit card use saves on paper, metals and energy used to create, track and replace cold cash. With instant-pay sites like Paypal and online bill paying, virtually all paper use in the production of checks, receipts and money is eliminated.

Are there any risks to digital banking?

The benefits are fantastic, but digital banking does come with several minor risks. Some people find budget-keeping more difficult when a glance at a phone screen reveals a generous bank balance while neglecting payments that are still outstanding. The best fix for this is to set up separate accounts for savings and spending so you know exactly what’s in your checking account. Also, there are some things, like setting up new accounts and making certain deposits, that must be done in person.

The biggest threat is the fear of hackers and identity theft. To this end, Afena uses industry-leading security protection technology, which can be strengthened when you choose strong passwords and refrain from banking on public computers. In fact, the advent of online banking has reduced the quantity of paper scraps containing personal information. This in and of itself is reducing incidences of identity theft.

Do any banking initiatives directly support environmental sustainability?

Every ethical financial institution’s goal is to support the sustainability and health of its community. Credit unions lead the charge nationally by supporting local businesses. The shorter the distance that goods travel, the less CO2 that leaks into the atmosphere. Something as simple as e-Statements will not only save you from paper clutter and the potential risk of identity theft, but you'll receive your statements faster, have them stored safely in your online banking platform, and know that you're doing your part of help the environment.

How can this help me?   

Aside from the benefits of going green, sustainable banking offers many advantages: it can be done anytime, anywhere. You save on gas. Emailed receipts and monthly statements keeps everything organized and in one place, which also helps with budgeting. With automatic bill payments, you can forget about your bills without forgetting to pay them, keeping your stress levels down and your credit scores high. Ultimately, saving the earth can save you time, money and energy.

To be part of the future, take these four easy steps:

• Download our app for easy access to your accounts from anywhere in the world.
• Enroll in paperless statements to get your important financial updates via email.
• Set up direct deposit to split your paycheck between your savings and checking accounts and/or to make loan payments.
• Use online bill pay to automatically and securely pay your bills each month.