Standard Chartered Bangladesh yesterday re-launched its priority banking and platinum card offerings with a range of benefits and privileges to cater to growing consumer banking.
The bank introduced the new offerings at an event at Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.
Jim McCabe, chief executive of Standard Chartered Bangladesh, said: “The new and enhanced priority bank offering is a product that amplifies our commitment to our brand promise. It’s a product tailor-made to suit the lifestyle of our high net-worth customers, catering to their unique banking and lifestyle needs.”
Sandeep Bose, head of consumer banking for Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, said priority banking is a big part of consumer banking that is growing rapidly, exceeding the industry average.
Standard Chartered says around 85,000 individuals in Bangladesh form the high value segment — a group of customers with a monthly average account balance of no less than Tk 35 lakh or with a housing/mortgage loan size no less than Tk 70 lakh — is expected to grow by another 25,000 by 2012.
With economic development and a steady growth momentum, individual income for the affluent segment will continue to increase, forming a large pool of quality priority banking customer in Bangladesh, the bank said.
ANM Mahfuz, general manager of the premium banking division, said Standard Chartered has appointed a number of relationship managers to serve the fast-growing customer segment.
Standard Chartered has been issuing VISA and MasterCard Platinum credit cards in Bangladesh since 2004. With the re-launch, the bank has added a range of benefits and privileges, exclusively designed to meet customers’ lifestyle needs and befit their status.
Apart from the regular privileges, the new Platinum Credit cardholder will enjoy a free companion return air ticket to Kolkata on Kingfisher and free membership for priority pass that gives access to 600 airport lounges in more than 100 countries and 300 cities worldwide.
Other benefits, include complimentary access to the Balaka Business Lounge and Platinum Passenger Handling Service during departure and arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, exclusive travel desk providing all travel related services, support with international hospitals and privileges at restaurants, hotels, golf courses, hospitals, beauty salons at both home and abroad and an insurance coverage of Tk 10 lakh.
Gitanka D Datta, head of cards of consumer banking, and Bitopi Das Chowdhury, head of corporate affairs, were also present.
