In the past 2 years, Bangladesh based Pubali Bank has taken significant measures to improve the energy efficiency of its IT infrastructure. The bank transitioned from a decentralized system with dedicated servers in each of its 500+ branches to a centralized core banking system, simplifying maintenance, enhancing security, and reducing energy consumption.
By adopting virtualization technology, the bank hosts its systems and solutions on virtual servers and storage, reducing the need for physical servers and lowering energy usage. The migration to IP telephony systems leverages the existing network infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate phone lines and their associated energy demands.
Also, the bank implemented a system in its data center and disaster recovery facility that uses physical presence detectors. This ensures that lights and potentially other equipment automatically power down during unoccupied periods, further contributing to energy savings. These initiatives demonstrate its commitment to environmental responsibility and ongoing efforts to optimize its IT infrastructure for performance and efficiency.
Engaging Employees
Pubali Bank has focused on engaging employees in green IT practices over the past few years. Javed Hasan, General Manager and Chief Technology Officer, emphasizes: “We’ve introduced a Green Banking logo and slogan to familiarize our staff with sustainable banking concepts. We’re on the verge of launching an e-circular platform, with e-statements and an e-tendering system soon to follow.”
The bank is formulating a Green Marketing policy to deliver its products and services through more environmentally friendly, automated processes aligned with global sustainability trends. It is digitally transforming its products, services, and business operations. Recent implementations include a digital attendance system, a leave approval management system, and an E-KYC for account opening, significantly reducing paper usage in daily operations.
The bank has also initiated an online credit application and appraisal processing system supported by its upgraded core banking system. The PI mobile app has been enhanced with new features and API integrations with corporates, mobile financial service providers, and utility companies, allowing customers to bank from anywhere, anytime.
It has also digitalized its regulatory reporting processes, reducing its environmental footprint. It now provides remote working facilities, e-learning platforms, and virtual meeting capabilities, supporting green IT practices and reducing the need for physical presence and travel.
Collaborating with Tech Partners
Pubali Bank has partnered with several technology providers in its journey towards environmental sustainability. VMware’s virtualization technology, including virtual servers and storage solutions, plays a crucial role in the bank’s transition to net-zero emissions. Cisco’s efficient networking infrastructure, IP telephony, and call center systems significantly reduce its energy footprint.
Oracle’s suite of solutions, including the PCA (Private Cloud Appliance) WebLogic platform and Oracle Exadata Data Warehouse, supports the bank’s centralized Core Banking System and data analytics needs. Additionally, Oracle DevOps manages the software development process, reducing energy consumption.
Reporting Green Milestones
Pubali Bank’s IT department produces several crucial reports for management and regulatory bodies to support its green initiatives. The Green and Sustainable Finance Status Report details sustainable finance disbursements and outstanding positions across eco-friendly sectors.
The Sustainable Linked Finance (SLF) Report comprehensively outlines disbursements and outstanding positions in diverse sectors, including sustainable agriculture and green projects. The Green Finance Activities Report offers a year-on-year comparison that tracks the growth of green financing efforts over time, providing valuable insights into progress and areas for improvement.
According to the bank’s annual report, Pubali Bank’s green financing activities have shown impressive growth:
Javed concluded: “Pubali Bank has continually demonstrated a strong dedication to environmental sustainability by actively supporting green and sustainable initiatives.” These reports help the management team and regulators assess its commitment to environmental sustainability and guide future strategies in green banking.
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