In Profile: Ameriprise Financial Goes Paperless

To help Americans manage their money, financial companies generate significant information—and paper. Account statements and shareholder documents pile up. Now, to cut costs and boost sustainability, forward-thinking financial companies are going “paperless” -- inviting customers to point, click and selectively print information online.

One company found a fresh way to invite clients to go paperless. Ameriprise Financial, a diversified financial services company with financial advisors and representatives nationwide, teamed up with The Conservation Fund to protect key coastal wetlands outside New Orleans. By sharing its story with clients, Ameriprise Financial demonstrated its own commitment to the environment and community—inspiring their loyalty and participation in the campaign to go paperless.

“Environmental awareness goes hand-in-hand with our commitment to support organizations and programs that help build strong, vital communities. We are proud to be part of a partnership that has ensured the protection of this beautiful waterfowl habitat, which also serves as a natural storm surge buffer to portions of the greater New Orleans area.”

- Brian Pietsch, head of community relations, Ameriprise Financial

Summary

In 2008 Ameriprise Financial donated $200,000 to The Conservation Fund, to protect critical coastal wetlands outside New Orleans. The company announced the gift in appreciation for the positive impact clients make when choosing to go paperless.

Challenge

Coastal wetlands harbor wildlife, offer fishing and birding opportunities and, in some locations, act as a buffer from surging waters during storms. Due to development and flood management along the Mississippi River, Louisiana has lost an estimated 1.2 million acres of coastal wetlands--leaving roads, ports, oil and gas pipelines and levees more exposed and vulnerable to storms. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 heightened awareness of coastal wetland loss across the southern U.S.

Outside New Orleans within the Lake Pontchartrain basin, the 23,000-acre Joyce Wildlife Management Area is a rich swamp of cypress-tupelo trees. Alligators, deer, ducks and other wildlife call this area home. Although the state of Louisiana owns much of the land, portions are still privately held. To manage the ecosystem effectively, the state must acquire these in-holdings. These acquisitions can be costly and complex.

Solution

In a time when many corporations are going paperless, Ameriprise Financial sought to distinguish its effort with a tangible commitment to conservation and community. The company’s gift completed the private funding necessary for The Conservation Fund to help the state of Louisiana acquire more than 7,200 acres within the designated wildlife area.

Results

Ameriprise Financial is successfully building its paperless efforts—with real results. Prior to its gift, in 2007, reductions in client mailings saved more than 1,200 tons of paper, equivalent to roughly 20,000 trees. The new effort keeps this momentum going while further establishing the company’s credibility as a corporation that supports communities and the environment.

Visit www.ameriprise.com/paperless to learn more.