Story posted Thursday, December 3, 2009
Wheeling Bank Branch Honored For Going Green
Devon Bank recently received the BKD Award for Excellence and Innovation from the Community Bankers Association of Illinois.
The bank earned the award for its green branch in Wheeling that opened in October of 2008. The building includes vertical wind turbines, solar panels, a green roof, and the ability to use different energy sources, explained Staci Allan, business development for Devon Bank. "It's the first green community bank in Chicagoland," she said.
The bank hopes the branch becomes a platinum LEED-certified building, Allan said. The power generating features create about 40% of the energy needed to run the building. Since its opening, architecture classes at the secondary and college levels, teachers, and alternative energy groups have toured the bank to see the innovations.
"They really wanted to provide some leadership in the community," Allan said of the original plan for the green branch. "Instead of just talking about it, they'd go ahead and do it."
The bank received the award at the association's meeting in Schaumburg on Sept. 26. Devon Bank also has locations in Glenview, Niles, Chicago, Deerfield, and Naperville.
Speak Out!
Comments are edited first by Journal staff before running in print and appearing online.