Aug. 12, 2008 - HSBC is offering its Canadian customers free checking, provided that they agree to minimize paper use by banking electronically.

The bank is running a promotional campaign to attract new environmentally conscious customers. Those who open an account and opt for electronic banking during the promotional period will have their monthly account fees (totaling more than $143 annually) waived for as long as they maintain the conditions on the account.

Also included in the campaign is a climate change fund for investors, and a special interest rate on car loans for customers buying certain low-emission vehicles.

"This summer's campaign is a way for HSBC to reinforce our corporate commitment to the principles of environmental sustainability," says Tracey Redies, executive VP of personal financial services. "For HSBC, sustainability is about making decisions that maintain the right balance between the environment, society and the economy to ensure long-term business success."

HSBC has consistently earned high marks for environmental responsibility and green messaging. In January, the Ceres investor coalition ranked it among the top climate-conscious banks in the world. In April, the bank took home one of the first Green Effie Awards for its "There's No Small Change" marketing campaign, which encourages consumer to take small steps toward a greener lifestyle.