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If you’re looking to green your finances, there are more and more banks offering green incentives to customers. Some banks are also working in earnest on increasing energy efficiency and water conservation in an attempt to reduce their carbon footprint – as well as their long-term operating costs.

A few suggestions on greener banking regardless of where you house your stash:

1. Bank online. By getting online statements, choosing automatic deposit and paying bills online, you're saving trees and reducing the amount of transportation pollutants that occur with paper transactions.

2. Don’t get a receipt at the ATM

If you’re in the market for some home improvements, check with your bank to see if they offer a lower interest rate for eco-friendly purchases. If you’re building a new home, and you’ve invested in materials that increase your home’s energy efficiency, you may qualify for an Energy-efficiency Mortgage. Go here for more information on energy-efficient mortgages. ()

The three “greenest” banks in the US at the moment are Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Wachovia. What makes these banks greener? Depends on the bank.

Bank of America – Putting their money where their mouth is to the tune of $20 billion, Bank of America can’t be accused of greenwashing. Of this commitment, $18 billion will be provided for lending and advice for commercial clients to develop sustainable products and services. $100 million will be invested in internal energy initiatives, $50 million will be donated to non-profit organizations that work on issues from forest preservation, and green conservation to green building and energy conservation. And finally, Bank of America has earmarked $1.4 billion to insure that all new offices and banking centers are LEED certified.

Wells Fargo - According to the EPA, Wells Fargo is the leading purchaser of sustainable energy. They purchase 550,000 megawatt-hours of windpower each year, equivalent to removing 75,000 cars from the road. This purchase of windpower accounts for roughly 40 percent of Wells Fargo’s total energy purchase. Because of their efforts in maximizing energy efficiency and water conservation, paper recycling and making office purchases that are socially and environmentally conscious in their offices, Wells Fargo has received California’s highest environmental award. Additionally, Wells Fargo makes real efforts at social responsibility resulting in a perfect score on the Corporate Equality Index for Human Rights Campaign.

Wachovia – The relatively new green kid on the block, Wachovia has just announced that all of their new branches will be green by the end of 2008.

As consumers, the strongest push that we can give to corporations is when we purchase from a particular company simply because they have a more environmentally friendly product or they are proven to be more socially responsible. This pressures companies who aren’t making green changes to do so and if banks understand anything, it’s money.