Our Environment

Credit card companies are jumping on the "green" bandwagon by offering their environmentally aware customers new eco-friendly options for their reward points. Customers can now use their points to buy environmentally friendly products or they can donate rewards points or earnings to their favorite environmental charity.

Stiff competition and increased scrutiny in credit card processing and credit card issuing practices have led the industry to consider new and innovative methods to appeal to new market segments. Some of the worlds largest credit card issuers are now offering green programs for their growing base of environmentally conscience customers.

Some of the new green programs include:

Consumers with a Wells Fargo rewards card can now use their points to back renewable-energy projects. With points ranging from 5,000 to 10,000, they can support the development of green power.

Bank of America's WorldPoints Rewards card holders can use points to buy environmental merchandise. Card holders will be given the option to donate points to groups that invest in greenhouse gas reduction.

Citigroup will soon add environmental products to their rewards catalog that will include recycled milk-carton furniture and compost systems.

Green Merchant Alliance, a company that provides credit card merchant services, donates 15% of it's profits to clean energy projects all at no additional cost to the participating merchants.

Bright Planet, an organization that is helping in fight against climate change, will issue a card that will donate money to clean-energy projects each time they are used.