Kickstart your sustainable projects with Net Zero Financing
Sunrise Banks offers net zero financing for business and commercial projects for property owners and tenants that reduce or avoid carbon emissions.
Eligible loans may include but are not limited to projects including:
Energy reduction and efficiency updates such as insulation and HVAC
Renewable energy such as solar, geothermal, and wind
Green buildings that meet national or international standards
Clean transportation such as electric vehicles and charging infrastructure
C-PACE (a state-led clean energy and energy efficiency program available to Minnesota-based commercial property owners)
Criteria for Net Zero Projects are third-party certified based on The Green Bond Principles. Off Site Link
Net Zero Financing Framework
Do you want to know more about whether your project qualifies for Net Zero Financing? Our Net Zero Financing Framework lays out all eligible types of projects that could qualify for Net Zero Financing. In addition, we share our process for project selection and deposit management, so you know how your Net Zero Deposits are being put to use.
Read the Framework (PDF)This framework has also been reviewed and validated by a second party provider, Sustainalytics.
Read the Second Party Opinion (PDF)Why choose Net Zero Financing?
Net zero financing can qualify you for a lower interest rate.
Sustainable upgrades have a high upfront cost with long-term savings.
The upgrades reduce or produce energy.
Energy reduction results in cost savings.
Energy production results in earnings.
The resulting proceeds can be used to pay off the loan.
Ready to get started or not sure if your project qualifies?
Contact us below or reach out to Andy Carlson, Commercial Loan Officer, at andy.carlson@sunrisebanks.com Off Site Link to learn more.
2024 Net Zero Banking Report
We’re proud to uphold our promise of transparency in ethical banking through this annual report illustrating the impact of our Net Zero Banking Program. This report covers the annual aggregated average dollar amount of Net Zero Deposits allocated to Net Zero Financing projects for the first six months of the Net Zero Deposits program. Between July and December 2024, an average balance of $4.4 million in Net Zero Deposits were allocated to corresponding Net Zero eligible loans.
These deposits reduced and avoided a total of 242 metric tons of carbon dioxide which is equivalent to powering approximately 50 single-family homes with clean electricity for a year.
Estimate the Impact of Your Deposits
Every US$1,000 in your Net Zero Deposits bank account reduces and avoids 0.11 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) per year. You can use this formula to get an estimate of your community decarbonization impact:
US$ you have in Net Zero Deposits ÷ $1,000 × -0.11 tCO2e = Your estimated avoided/reduced emissions in the community per year
Consider where you are banking today.
If you move your funds from one of the 11 largest bank accounts, you can reduce your own carbon footprint reduction by a factor of .23 tCO2e. For example, moving $10K from a carbon intensive bank account to a Net Zero Deposits account is equivalent to the direct emissions reduced by switching to an electric vehicle for a year.
Read the full report for more insights on how making a simple change at no cost — like switching where you bank — you can elevate your sustainability approach from mere awareness to meaningful action.
Read the 2024 Net Zero Banking ReportFeatured Projects
Firefly: A Neighborhood Approach to Net Zero Living
Architect Adam Bradley Jonas and developer Jay Rajaratnam specialize in net zero buildings, tackling unique challenges. Today, on Grand Avenue in South Minneapolis, stands Firefly—their first fully sustainable apartment building, financed by the Sunrise Banks Net Zero Banking Program.
Read MoreBringing Sustainability to a Historic St. Paul Building
Pioneering a carbon-neutral construction project has challenges, including financing. The historic Brown-Jaspers Building at 2441 University Ave W., now 2441 Arts, features sustainable design enabled by Net Zero Banking.
Read MoreAddressing Climate Change with Minnesota’s first Multi-Family Passive House
Sunrise Banks is proud to fund construction of one of Minnesota’s first Passive House certified multi-family buildings. This project, Solstice Apartments, is a building with 23 low-carbon footprint apartments in the heart of northeast Minneapolis.
Read More