UK, October 5, 2021: Data insights from Experian are helping local relationship bank, Handelsbanken, to reduce the number of high-carbon emission cars within their current lending portfolio.
By combining data sets from both organisations, including information on CO2 emissions, Experian’s data analytics will provide a deeper understanding of what percentage of vehicles within Handelsbanken’s asset finance portfolio are considered high or low in carbon emissions.
This information will help support the creation of new lending products that could incentivise new, and existing, borrowers to select low carbon emission or electric vehicles in the future. Regular checks will continue to be carried out using Experian’s solution to ensure that progress is being made against Handelsbanken’s sustainability goals.
New climate change commitments were set by the UK government this year, aiming to cut carbon emissions 78% by 2035. Success in achieving this goal will require more people to opt for electric and hybrid cars over petrol alternatives - as well as wider use of low-carbon heating, renewable electricity and a reduction in meat and dairy consumption.
Mark Broadley, Product Owner of Asset Finance at Handelsbanken, said: “We've always felt a strong sense of responsibility to our communities, which is why Handelsbanken has set an ambitious target of achieving net zero by 2040. As a bank, the greatest impact we can have is through what we finance and what we invest in. That's why we need reliable data - in this case on our asset finance customers' vehicle emissions - so that we can support them on their own low-carbon transition journeys.”
Gerardo Montoya, Managing Director of Automotive at Experian UK&I, said: “Our partnership with Handelsbanken is a great example of how data can be used as a force for good in helping to tackle climate change.
“By providing a far more comprehensive view of high carbon emission vehicles within their portfolio, we have provided the foundations for them to implement the right strategies, helping to get more drivers considering environmentally friendly alternatives when it comes to car purchases. We’re excited to be part of this journey and we are committed to working with our partners in using innovation to protect the planet.”
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Note to editors: Handelsbanken is looking to achieve net zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2040. Experian aims to become carbon neutral in their own operations by 2030.
Media contact:
Joe Green, PR Manager, Corporate & Business, UK&I, Experian
Tel: 07812 737 768 / Email: joseph.green@experian.com
About Experian
Experian is the world’s leading global information services company. During life’s big moments – from buying a home or a car, to sending a child to college, to growing a business by connecting with new customers – we empower consumers and our clients to manage their data with confidence. We help individuals to take financial control and access financial services, businesses to make smarter decisions and thrive, lenders to lend more responsibly, and organisations to prevent identity fraud and crime.
We have 17,800 people operating across 44 countries and every day we’re investing in new technologies, talented people, and innovation to help all our clients maximise every opportunity. We are listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and are a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
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About Handelsbanken
Handelsbanken is the trading name of Handelsbanken plc, which is incorporated in England and Wales with company number 11305395. Registered office: 3 Thomas More Square, London, E1W 1WY, UK. Handelsbanken plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Financial Services Register number 806852.
Handelsbanken plc is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ).
In Sweden, Handelsbanken is one of country’s leading banks with approximately 700 branches across six home markets, and over 12,000 employees.
Handelsbanken was established in Stockholm in 1871 and has operated in the UK since 1982. The UK is one of Handelsbanken’s six “home market” countries, where the bank offers relationship banking to domestic market customers, the other countries being Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and the Netherlands.
In the UK, Handelsbanken is a relationship bank with a decentralised way of working, a strong local presence due to a nationwide network of branches and a long-term approach to customer relations. Handelsbanken specialises in providing personalised and competitive banking services to both businesses and individuals, as well as wealth and investment management services through its UK subsidiary Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management. Each Handelsbanken branch operates as a small business enabling it to make decisions at a local level and provide a service that is bespoke. The focus is always on the need of the individual customer and not on the sale of specific products, hence neither the bank nor its wealth and asset management subsidiary offers its staff bonuses.
For information regarding sustainability at Handelsbanken, please see here: https://www.handelsbanken.co.uk/en/about-us/sustainability.