North Earns Sustainability Certificate, Strengthening Green Initiatives in Fintech Industry

North's Commitment to Sustainability Shines Bright

In a significant milestone for the fintech sector, North, a prominent player in payment solutions based in the U.S., has proudly been awarded a Sustainability Certificate by Switch, a well-respected leader in corporate sustainability. This accolade not only marks the sixth time North has received such recognition but also underlines the company's ongoing commitment to environmentally conscious business practices.

The certificate is granted to North for its effective utilization of 100% renewable energy within the Switch ecosystem. In a commendable effort, Switch retired 348 Renewable Energy Credits on behalf of North for the year 2024, ensuring that the company’s energy consumption at Switch’s data center facilities remains fully green. These credits sourced from Nevada's solar farms align with environmental principles, showcasing North's alignments with ethical and sustainable energy practices championed by organizations like Greenpeace.

Andy Bolin, Chief Information Officer at North, expressed his excitement about the company's sustainable initiatives, emphasizing that the organization has a long-standing commitment to creating a greener planet. "We aim towards a significant level of sustainability, which we have pursued by implementing digital solutions like paperless statements and digital receipts," Bolin stated. He further elaborated on North's decision to host all business systems at Switch since 2017, consolidating seven separate data centers into two highly efficient ones—both powered entirely by renewable energy—without compromising transaction performance.

This year's recognition follows North's receipt of the Sustainability Leadership Award from the Business Intelligence Group in 2023. This award celebrates organizations that incorporate sustainability into their core business operations, an effort North has successfully pursued over the years. The latest accolade from Switch solidifies North's reputation for operational efficiencies and philanthropic endeavors aligned with sustainability.

On Earth Day, North takes time to give back by supporting various causes related to the environment. In a statement, Chief Human Resources Officer, Kari Lawry, mentioned that this year, North would again donate to The Canopy Project and The Coral Reef Alliance. Both organizations resonate with the Earth Day theme—'our power, our planet'—which emphasizes the importance of renewable energy sources. Lawry highlighted how North deeply respects and cherishes the essential life-supporting systems provided by our natural environment, noting the company's engagement with multi-generational family businesses in its merchant network.

As a company founded in 1992, North has emerged as a leading financial technology entity that offers seamless and innovative payment solutions for a diverse range of businesses. With a comprehensive suite of services, from operational management to personalized support, North has expanded the payment landscape significantly. Their user-friendly merchant portal facilitates easy access to operations and payments, catering to both small-scale enterprises and larger organizations with substantial transaction volumes.

Switch, the esteemed partner in North's sustainability journey, has championed innovative data center ecosystems since its inception in 2000. Headquartered in Las Vegas, the company leads the industry in telecommunications solutions and next-generation technology, ensuring sustainability is at the forefront of their mission. Notably, since January 2016, all Switch data centers have been operating entirely on renewable energy, achieving a net-zero goal for their carbon emissions—an aspiration they have maintained ever since.

As the years progress, it’s clear that North will continue to enhance its sustainability efforts and commitments in the fintech landscape, creating a positive impact on the environment while offering innovative solutions that cater to the diverse needs of its growing clientele.