NSB in Sri Lanka to introduce a student Master card
National Savings Bank (NSB), the largest savings bank firmly rooted in the soils of Sri Lanka, has been serving as a catalyst for financial inclusion and development of the country for more than four decades now
 |
|
|
Originally entrusted with the task of inculating the habit of saving and thrift, especially among the rural un-banked masses of this island, NSB now commands a brisk and continuous growth in the business with a wider range of services and products on offer. The Bank holds an exclusive position as the only bank whose deposits are fully guaranteed by the Government of Sri Lanka and the only bank in the country that enjoys the coveted AAA Long Term Credit Rating for the 11th consecutive year. Recently the Bank has been able to secure the BB-International Rating for Fitch for the first time in its history. This singularity is heightened immensely by being the only local representative bank at Eurogiro that benefits abundantly from its services.
Operating in an ever-changing business landscape, constantly and heavily backed by technological aspects, NSB often strives to incorporate these into its services to make it more convenient for the customers to reach the Bank without the limits of time and space being an obstacle. NSB has recently embarked on an innovative method of banking with its decision to introduce the International Student Debit Card that caters to the educational needs of Sri Lankan students who study abroad. This master card will be issued, together with an internationally accepted student identity card to all the 'Ithuru Mithuru' account holders at NSB (a product of NSB that aims at the youth of the country). The aim of this product is to introduce a cluster of benefits to the Sri Lankan student community abroad.
With the emblem of 'Master Card' embossed on the surface, this card can be used as a debit card at local and international ATMs. Discounts will be available when using this card for transactions at selected outlets and service provider centres in more than 120 countries, whilst facilitating safe and efficient transactions at more than 126,000 service providers such as cinemas, restaurants, shopping complexes and museums around the world. In addition, the Card can be used for transactions, with discounts available at selected local outlets and service providers such as opticians, educational institutions, book shops, studios, hospitals and musical instrument providers.
Whilst Eurogiro has equipped the Bank with an efficient and secured international banking service offered especially to Sri Lankan migrant workers, upon commencement of operation, this innovative product would facilitate NSB in extensively servicing the interests of another major segment of its customer base and the population of Sri Lanka that live away from home, thereby keeping the valuable relationship intact and thriving.
H M Hennayake Bandara, General Manager/CEO - National Savings Bank Sri Lanka - October 2013