|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NAB Community Newsletter - June 2008
One year on carbon neutral report
NAB has released its first progress report on becoming carbon neutral by September 2010.
Employer of Choice for Women
The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) has named NAB as a 2008 Employer of Choice for Women.
NAB’s customer promise
NAB has released its first formal Customer Promise – the company’s commitment to its customers.
New South Wales and Queensland Governments inject money into No Interest Loan Schemes (NILS®)
The New South Wales Government has announced $840,000 to accredited community organisations operating NILS throughout the state.
One year down the track - Microenterprise report
NAB’s Microenterprise Loans program is one year old.
The changing face of interest rates
Since August 2007, NAB has been impacted by escalating wholesale funding costs.
StepUP Loan report launched
NAB and Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service recently launched - "A step in the right direction? A Report into the StepUP Loan Program, 2004-2007."
Environment survey
Recently, over 2000 NAB employees participated in an environment survey as part of NAB’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2010.
NAB 150 - the journey so far
For 150 years, NAB has been an integral part of Australian communities and in 2008 is commemorating the people, places and events that have shaped the bank's heritage and history.
150 Schools Buddy Up
As the principal sponsor of the Better Buddies Framework, NAB is helping The Alannah and Madeline Foundation make a difference in 150 schools across Australia.
$50,000 goes to junior football clubs during NAB Cup
During NAB Cup, 50 NAB Supergoals were kicked, resulting in $50,000 going to grassroots football.
Your feedback is important to us. Email: community@nab.com.au
Subscribe to a little word from nab
One year on carbon neutral report
NAB has released its first progress report on becoming carbon neutral by September 2010.
With almost 25,000 employees and around 1,000 buildings within Australia, NAB’s carbon footprint is substantial.
NAB is now one year into its journey to become carbon neutral. A report on progress shows:
- Last year, 93% of the bank’s greenhouse gas emissions came from the energy used in buildings.
- A range of initiatives have been implemented to reduce the amount of power used to run heating and cooling, lighting and security as well as office equipment like computers and printers.
- One of the biggest projects underway is the refurbishment of NAB’s 500 Bourke Street office to a 5 Star Green Star rating.
- The bank is also replacing 50% of its car fleet with more fuel efficient vehicles and introducing hybrid vehicles.
By 2010, NAB is aiming to acquire 10% of its electricity from accredited renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. Greenhouse gas emissions that cannot be reduced will be offset through the purchase of carbon credits.
To read more about NAB’s progress read the Carbon Neutral report.
http://www.nab.com.au/vgnmedia/downld/NAB_Carbon_Neutral_Update_April_2008.pdf
Employer of Choice for Women
The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) has named NAB as a 2008 Employer of Choice for Women.
This is the second time NAB has been recognised with this award. Over the past year, NAB has implemented a range of initiatives to improve workplace conditions for women including:
- Introduction of 12 weeks paid parental leave for primary carers.
- Opening two childcare centres in Sydney and North Sydney.
- Undertaking a pay equity audit to better understand pay practices in relation to gender.
- Running a pilot in-house mentoring program for pre-management women.
- Focus groups to determine issues inhibiting recruitment and promotion of women within NAB.
For more information on EOWA visit http://www.eowa.gov.au/
NAB’s customer promise
NAB has released its first formal Customer Promise – the company’s commitment to its customers.
The NAB Customer Promise is a series of commitments to customers about what they can expect when banking with NAB. It outlines NAB’s commitment to our retail customers in three areas:
- Providing smarter banking products and services.
- Making it easier to do business with us.
- Giving support and assistance to help our communities grow.
The commitments range from giving definite timeframes for receiving approval on applications for finance, through to the provision of better services and resources and undertakings on environmental and community responsibility.
NAB’s promises have been created after feedback from customers, employees, consumer groups, community organisations and regulatory bodies. NAB will measure its ongoing performance against these commitments and publish the results publicly every year.
To read NAB’s customer promise
http://www.nab.com.au/About_Us/0,,93618,00.html
New South Wales and Queensland Governments inject money into No Interest Loan Schemes (NILS®)
The New South Wales Government has announced $840,000 to accredited community organisations operating NILS throughout the state. Recently, the Queensland Government has announced it will provide $1.2 million to support NILS in that state.
NILS was developed by Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service 26 years ago, as a community-based micro-credit scheme for people on low incomes to purchase essential household goods and services. The loans are generally less than $1000.
In 2006, NAB announced it would provide $10 million in loan capital to expand NILS Australia-wide.
With the New South Wales and Queensland government’s decision to fund the administration of NILS, more families will now have access to this money for no-interest loans.
To read more about NILS
http://www.nab.com.au/About_Us/0,,94880,00.html#No_Interest_Loans_Schemes_(NILS_1_)
® NILS is a registered trademark of Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service.
One year down the track - Microenterprise report
NAB’s Microenterprise Loans program is one year old.
A NAB Microenterprise Loan provides a not-for-profit business loan of between $500 and $20,000 to people on low incomes, with few or no avenues to access affordable business credit.
To date, 73 businesses have access to a business loan with an average loan of $15,000. The business types include chocolate maker, hair salon, dog massage/training, florist, computer maintenance, landscape design to name a few.
NAB has been fortunate to engage support partners to help deliver the Microenterprise Loan Program. These include Business Enterprise Centres Australia, National NEIS Association, Enterprise Network of Young Australians and Business Innovation & Incubation Australia.
The report looks at the development of the program, importance of support partners in delivering the program and where to from here. It also reinforces a belief in the importance of a microenterprise loan program for individuals with few or no avenues to access affordable credit.
To read one year down the track visit http://www.nab.com.au/vgnmedia/images/About_Us/Final_one_year_down_the_track.pdf
The changing face of interest rates
Since August 2007, NAB has been impacted by escalating wholesale funding costs.
As a listed company, NAB has a responsibility to balance the needs of shareholders and customers.
Since August 2007, wholesale funding costs have increased substantially due to a higher 90 day bill rate and growing long-term funding costs. NAB has been absorbing much of these costs and the true cost of funding.
To date, NAB has increased its standard variable home loan rate by 0.39% above RBA cash rate increases of 1.00%. NAB remains committed to responsible lending and continues to take steps to help new home loan customers avoid financial stress.
NAB is also developing a new clear home loan with no exit fees for customers wanting to avoid unnecessary switching costs – due for launch in late 2008.
StepUP Loan report launched
NAB and Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service recently launched - "A step in the right direction? A Report into the StepUP Loan Program, 2004-2007."
This report details key learnings from the StepUP program which was launched in October 2004 through a partnership with Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service and NAB.
StepUP loans are safe low interest loans for people living on a low income. These not-for-profit loans of between $800 and $3,000 can help to buy household goods, purchase a car, or cover medical expenses or house repairs.
StepUP has grown from a pilot offered in five locations with 27 loans approved in the first year, to be operating in more than 16 locations in News South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and across South Australia. At the time of the report, 700 loans had been approved to the value of over $1.1 million.
To find out more about the StepUP program or to read the report
http://www.nab.com.au/About_Us/0,,82040,00.html
Environment survey
Recently, over 2000 NAB employees participated in an environment survey as part of NAB’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2010.
The survey looked at employees’ opinions about NAB becoming carbon neutral and also their willingness to get involved in green activities at work.
The results show that 92% of employees believe it is up to individuals to be responsible for their environment at work. Almost 70% agree that it is very important for a business to be strongly committed to the environment.
While there were positive attitudes towards the environment, the research highlights that changing behaviour in the workplace is much more challenging.
Nearly half our employees surveyed (46%) said they are motivated to be green at work and almost 30% said barriers like time restrictions prevented them from being more involved in environmental activities at work.
There is also a strong appetite for information, with most employees (76%) saying they want to know more about the bank’s environmental programs, particularly what carbon neutral means for the business.
The recent launch of our Carbon Neutral Update is helping improve staff awareness and encourage workplace change.
To read more about NAB’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral visit
http://www.nab.com.au/About_Us/0,,80997,00.html?ncID=ZBA
NAB 150 - the journey so far
For 150 years, NAB has been an integral part of Australian communities and in 2008 is commemorating the people, places and events that have shaped the bank's heritage and history.
A major part of the 150th anniversary activities is the NAB 150 Tour, a nationwide tour commemorating the bank's 150th anniversary.
Over an eight month period, the NAB 150 Tour will host hundreds of events, bringing live music, the Australian Football Experience, heritage exhibitions, songwriting workshops and much more to 110 regional and metropolitan communities.
The NAB 150 Tour has just completed its tours of QLD and NT and is now embarking on the WA leg. For NAB 150 Tour details - and to catch some of your favourite Australian musicians and sporting heroes - keep an eye on www.nab.com.au/150
150 Schools Buddy Up
As the principal sponsor of the Better Buddies Framework, NAB is helping The Alannah and Madeline Foundation make a difference in 150 schools across Australia.
The Better Buddies Framework is a whole-school initiative that is designed to create safe and caring primary school communities where bullying is reduced.
After piloting the Better Buddies Framework in 2007 with thirty schools, 2008 will see students in 150 schools around Australia learn about the key values of the Better Buddies Framework – care, friendliness, respect, responsibility, valuing difference and including others.
NAB representatives also team up with a local Better Buddies school, giving employees the opportunity to get involved in their local community.
To read more about the Better Buddies Framework visit
http://www.amf.org.au/better.cfm
$50,000 goes to junior football clubs during NAB Cup
During NAB Cup, 50 NAB Supergoals were kicked, resulting in $50,000 going to grassroots football. For each NAB Supergoal kicked $1000 went to the player’s junior club.
Also, as part of NAB’s commitment to providing sport to all in the community, NAB has undertaken partnerships with the AFL - West Coast Eagles and the NRL – Rabbitohs. The cornerstone of the Rabbitohs partnership is their community initiative Souths Cares. This program assists disadvantaged young people and their families, particularly focussing on Indigenous communities within Australia.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
National Australia Bank Ltd - ABN 12 004 044 937
This email may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify us at postmaster@nab.com.au or by replying to the sender, and then destroy all copies of this email. Except where this email indicates otherwise, views expressed in this email are those of the sender and not of National Australia Bank Ltd. Advice in this email does not take account of your objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is important for you to consider these matters and, if the e-mail refers to a product(s), you should read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement(s)/other disclosure document(s) before making any decisions. If you do not want email marketing from us in future, forward this email with "unsubscribe" in the subject line to Unsubscriptions@nab.com.au in order to stop marketing emails from this sender. National Australia Bank Ltd does not represent that this email is free of errors, viruses or interference.
|
|
|
