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Fulton Bank
Fulton Bank

Protecting our Environment

2022 Corporate Social Responsibility Report

We are aware of the environmental footprint we leave behind, and we consistently look for ways to reduce our impact — whether that’s through energy usage, waste disposal or land management.

30,148 LBS.

of E-Waste* Recycled from 2021 to 2022

*computers, cell phones and other electronic devices that have reached the end pf their useful lives

Our Environmental Focus

  • Implement an energy and sustainability management program to monitor the consumption of electricity, natural gas and other utilities, while looking for opportunities for conservation
  • Track scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions
  • Calculate a baseline and annual enterprise carbon footprint

 

LANDFILL DIVERSION ACHIEVEMENTS:

15.2%

Diversion in 2022 (improved from 10% in 2021)

30%

Landfill Diversion Target by 2027 (office trash and recycling)

 

Climate Impact Working Group

At Fulton we believe our purpose – changing lives for the better – is a strong guide for our climate impact strategy. Our purpose requires that we work to be good environmental stewards for the communities in which we live and work. As responsible stewards, we strive to reduce the environmental impact of our activities.

The Climate Impact Working Group (CIWG) is made up of senior leaders from different departments across the company. It was formed in 2022 to further understand the climate-related opportunities and risks in our business.

The working group, which reports to the CSR Leadership Committee, supports Fulton in:

  • Being aware of, and actively seeking ways to reduce, our operational impact on the environment
  • Incorporating climate-related risk management in our business practices
  • Ensuring we have financial products and services that support our clients' sustainability journeys
  • Engaging our suppliers on sustainability

 

Helping Agricultural Customers Navigate Climate Risks

The climate crisis affects us all, but our local farmers are especially at risk. Even though farmers are working to advance sustainable practices, climate change presents them with additional risk factors — from floods and wildfires to shifting energy policies and consumer preferences.

In our home base of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, agriculture is an important industry, and we want to help our many agricultural customers navigate climate risks to minimize financial risks, economic consequences and environmental impact.

To that end, we help customers reduce exposure to climate risks with the following services:

a farm with goats

 

Best Management Practices (BMPs)

We have financed various projects that use BMPs — clean water manure storage, no-till equipment and renewable energy projects — to reduce carbon impact. Our Trusted Advisor program advises customers about BMPs, while informing them of industry trends and financial benchmarking.

Fulton Bank provided primary funding for a methane digester project by AR Joy Farm, a multi-generational dairy farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania, through the use of a capital lease along with purchasing investment tax credits totaling more than $700,000. The goal of the methane digester system is to stabilize the farm’s costs while simultaneously diverting food waste from the landfill and improving manure odors and runoff. The digester generates more than 2,100 metric tons of carbon credits and renewable energy credits annually that are sold to improve revenues.

  

 

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Financial Planning Assistance

Our team members guide borrowers to programs that allow them to adopt sustainable practices with credit enhancements, such as farm service agencies, economic development corporations and national resources conservation services. We also have developed programs that support startup farms and ranches, and offer bridge loans for construction periods and various borrowing cycles.

 

 

 

icon of people holding hands

Partnerships, Seminars And Events

The Fulton Agricultural Group hosts an annual seminar in partnership with Penn State Extension that features notable speakers to demonstrate sustainable agriculture, as well as new industry events for customers and clients. We have also partnered with the Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance, farm service agencies, national resources conservation services and more to sponsor various public educational seminars, and collaborated with the Lancaster Farmland Trust to protect our native farmland from development.

 

Environmental Impact and Energy Management

As part of our ongoing efforts to reduce our environmental impact, we actively work to divert various forms of waste from the landfill. These items are recycled and/or reprocessed such that parts and components can be reused and leave a smaller footprint from our operations.

WASTE STREAM DIVERSIONS*

environmental impact graph

* Waste diverted or redirected from landfills/traditional disposal throughout 2022

**A specialty waste diversion program through Keurig’s K-Cycle® Recycling Program

  

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Lighting Upgrades

We continue to upgrade our lighting systems, as we renovate and update our office spaces, to ensure that we use energy more efficiently. The installation of solar panels at our Mount Laurel, New Jersey, regional office was completed in January 2022.

 

 

 

leaf icon

Green Roof

The green roof atop our 23 E. King Street building in downtown Lancaster helps us conserve energy, reduce stormwater runoff and increase biodiversity with plants that thrive in an urban environment. Essentially a layer of vegetation planted over a waterproofing system on top of the roof, the green roof brings a little nature back to Lancaster City, while delivering energy savings and environmental benefits.

 

Paper & Waste Management

70.6 TONS

of Paper Recycled

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement 

 

Operations & Change Management Plan

 

Fulton Bank is actively building out its Sourcing and Procurement operational plan to support a smart purchasing strategy.

In partnership with Fulton’s senior leaders, our Chief Procurement Officer is focused on generating value for the company and seeks suppliers who can help us:

  • Align with our needs and contribute to our organizational goals
  • Lower our environmental footprint
  • Enhance our commitment to DE&I
  • Maximize value related to our third-party expenditures
  • Minimize risks to our customers
  • Share our commitment to the highest standards of business conduct, integrity and value creation
 

 

icon of three people Supply Chain Management and Human Rights

 

In 2022, Fulton Bank established a corporate membership with the National Minority Supplier Development Council to help build connections and capabilities as we evolve and mature our supplier diversity program.

 

Fulton’s success and reputation is built on trust that was earned in the communities we serve. In 2023, Fulton’s Sourcing and Procurement organization intends to formalize a Supplier Code of Conduct. The code will outline responsible business practices, responsible treatment of workers, and responsible use of information, systems or other assets.

 

Supplier Diversity Commitment

Fulton Bank is committed to increasing opportunities for certified diverse suppliers in meeting the needs of our customers. We view our supplier diversity strategy as a solid investment in the communities where we live and work. We are building our program to create awareness and provide additional opportunities to small and minority-owned businesses for the products and services they need. 

Our goal is not to just create sourcing opportunities but also to provide financial solutions and education to our diverse supplier partners that will enable them to grow and become competitive in the markets we serve and beyond. Fulton is committed to identifying customers that may be eligible for Supplier Diversity Advisory Council certification and assisting them in obtaining it.

 

two people reading a document

We recognize qualified diverse suppliers that are at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by one or more of the following groups who are either U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents:

  • Minority Groups
  • Disabled Individuals
  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
  • Women-Owned
  • Veterans and Service-Disabled Veterans

 

    

two men shaking hands with a certificate icon on top

In order to champion diversity in our sourcing opportunities, we partner with a third party to evaluate our spend-by-certification standards and ensure the integrity of our reporting. Certifications we recognize to identify diversity spend opportunities include:

  • Disability:IN
  • Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council
  • National Gay & Lesbian Chamber or Commerce
  • National Minority Supplier Development Council
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • U.S. Small Business Administration
  • Women's Business Enterprise National Council
  • Women's Business Owners Corporation

 

Download the 2022 CSR Report

Learn more about how we are working to change lives for the better.

Download