White Ash 'Autumn Applause' - Fraxinus Americana 'Autumn Applause'
Sparkasse Freising: Excellent financial services and sustainable commitment
Sparkasse Freising has been in existence since 1837. It has been at its current location in the city centre since 1973. Today, it is a state-of-the-art financial services provider with 1.9 billion euros in total assets and 56,000 customers. As a company with 300 staff, it is not only economically successful. It also fulfils its public mandate in the population service with its considerable commitment to the region and the common good.
"What drives me is the appreciation for all our customers. Fairness and balance are important to me," explains Johann Kirsch, chair of the board of Sparkasse Freising. That could be one of the secrets of the success of Sparkasse Freising, which he has been leading since the beginning of 2021, together with fellow board member Andrea Felsner-Peifer. She is already the second lady in a management position at his side, and he emphasises that this fact is a matter of course for him. "Our proportion of women is above average in general, but also in the management positions.
And I feel this is a great added value!" he says.
In 2021, Sparkasse Freising was twice the test winner in the Focus Money City Contest in the private and business customer segments. This excellent and modern service and advice includes, among other things, an online blog with interesting, broadly themed articles and, since mid-June, its own Instagram channel. As close and competent as Sparkasse Freising presents itself, it is also committed to its customers and the entire region: In Corona-March 2021, Sparkasse Freising initiated a free live stream for a benefit concert. "The campaign was a great success. We want to use the donations to support cultural workers and artists in the region," Johann Kirsch reports, not without pride. A smaller amount of the donated sum also goes to an exclusive environmental project of the Sparkasse. In autumn 2021, a tree planting campaign will start with kindergartens and schools. Kirsch explains that he feels very committed to the idea of sustainability. The Sparkasse Freising also pursues it in advisory talks, for example, about climate-friendly buildings and corresponding subsidies. Especially with regard to the very young people, he is particularly interested in showing attitude and setting an example. Sparkasse Freising wants to strengthen children's awareness of nature, the environment and climate protection and introduce them to sustainability in a way as practical as possible. Therefore, in addition to the planting, the later fruit harvest is also part of this overall experience for the children.
Although the planting campaign of the Sparkasse Freising runs parallel to the anniversary project of the University of Applied Sciences, both are entirely independent of each other, says Johann Kirsch. "I heard about the possibility of a tree sponsorship through Rolf Lynen, with whom I am good acquaintances, and immediately agreed," he explains. "As a nature lover and forest owner by conviction, my personal focus is on the environment and nature. I am, therefore, particularly pleased that we donate larger sums to ecological projects every year." He says that the small forest in the Altmühltal is his most beautiful retreat. Perhaps the tree sponsored by Sparkasse Freising can also become a future place of rest and strength for him and his staff. One thing is undeniable: Sparkasse Freising will continue to support and initiate similar projects in the years to come because: "Sustainable does not mean one-off!"
Distribution
Eastern North America; river banks, low mountain slopes.
Size
20 to 25 metres high
Leaves
unevenly pinnate, 7 to 9 leaflets, dark green, yellow-purple autumn colours
Flower
inconspicuous, greenish
Fruit
winged nut fruit, 2 to 5 cm long
