PNC Wins 2008 Global Sustainability Award

Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) June 19, 2008 -- The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) has won an inaugural Sustainable Cities Award. Sponsored jointly by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the Financial Times, the award recognizes PNC's long-standing leadership in environmentally friendly building.

"The Sustainable Cities Award confirms our belief that PNC is a global pioneer in the effort to create commercial spaces that are ecologically viable and economically superior to standard construction," said Gary Saulson, director of PNC Corporate Real Estate, who accepted on behalf of the company in London on June 16. PNC was the largest U.S. corporation and the only financial services company selected.

PNC's environmental leadership was affirmed last year by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office with a trademark for the term "Green Branch," which applies to 41 banking offices certified by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). PNC's other certified green buildings include the J. Richard Carnall Center in Wilmington, Del. and PNC Firstside Center in Pittsburgh. Twelve recently completed Green Branch® locations are awaiting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the USGBC. PNC has another green office tower, Three PNC Plaza, under construction in Pittsburgh, and another planned for Washington, D.C.

More than half of material used in each Green Branch® location is locally manufactured or made from recycled or green materials. Energy usage is reduced nearly 35 percent or more compared to a traditional branch and water usage is reduced by nearly 4,000 gallons a year. Window walls are three times more efficient than code and provide an open, airy space for employees and customers.

In addition to its own green building program, the award jury cited PNC for its effort to influence its supply chain. PNC trains its contractors in green building methods and advocates for the sourcing of more sustainable materials.

PNC also contributes to environmental initiatives through its philanthropy and sponsorship, including the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Philadelphia Green program (a finalist for the Sustainable Cities Award and the United States' largest and most comprehensive urban greening program), the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Annapolis, Md.

The Financial Times and ULI selected nine global winners from an international field for the inaugural Sustainable Cities Award.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (www.pnc.com) is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services organizations providing retail and business banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management; asset management and global fund services.

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