The Bank of Bermuda donated $5,000 to The National Trust yesterday after a successful 'go paperless' electronic-statement drive with customers to mark World Environment Day earlier this summer.

Bank of Bermuda encouraged customers to sign up for electronic statements and forgo receiving paper statements by pledging to donate five dollars to the Trust for every customer who switched to e-statements during the two-day initiative.

The funds will be used by The National Trust to maintain open spaces and plant native and endemic trees in woodland reserves.

Customers who signed up for Personal Internet Banking and e-statements also received a canvas shopping bag, CFL light bulbs and other environmental friendly gifts.

During the e-statement drive, an extra 789 customers signed up for e-statements and an additional 71 customers signed up for Personal Internet Banking.

Nigel Crow, Bank of Bermuda's Chief Financial Officer and World Environment Day Champion, said: "We joined with 45 other countries and 60,000 colleagues around the world as part of the HSBC Group to 'be part of the solution' on World Environment Day.

"We decided to not only promote environmental awareness amongst staff, but to also encourage our customers to take small steps, such as signing up for e-statements and using canvas shopping bags to 'be part of the solution' in raising awareness and tackling climate change.

"We were overwhelmed with the response from customers which we believe highlights the importance of individuals, institutions and the community working together to achieve a common aim."

Jennifer Gray, the Trust's Executive Director of The National, said: "The National Trust is most appreciative of this donation from the Bank of Bermuda and commends them for this initiative.

"The pressures on our island environment have never been so great and every penny we receive assists us in maintaining and restoring our precious green spaces.

"We are particularly pleased that this project benefits so many in the community. Our nature reserves and open spaces are for the enjoyment of all of Bermuda and her people and support the many plants and animals which keep our ecosystem in balance, providing untold benefit and enjoyment.

"It is time for each of us to make responsible lifestyle choices to ensure the welfare of our island and generations still to come.

"We thank Bank of Bermuda for their conscientious choice to promote good stewardship of Bermuda and look forward to future like-minded initiatives."