| James Kon |
BAIDURI Bank yesterday launched its revamped Smart Executive Programme (SEP).
The facility offers more benefits ranging from banking convenience to financial flexibility and tools to meet the financial and lifestyle needs of young professionals.
Baiduri Bank CEO Pierre Imhof during a press conference said, “The Baiduri Bank’s Smart Executive Programme started in June 2013 targetting the young and busy professionals.
“In five years, we grew our customer base to more than 8,300 members – considered a large number in Brunei.
“These young executives and professionals are those from the higher income group who will become wealthier in the future,” he added.
Imhof said, “The SEP is open to working professionals aged between 21-45 years who are typically in their early to mid-career stages, upwardly mobile and actively looking to achieve greater success in life.
“They also have the appetite for financial products that will help them achieve their aspirations like financing their first home, investing for their future and saving for their children’s education.
“This is where we see opportunity to better serve this segment of customers by providing the right financial solutions and by actively reaching out to them as their financial partner,” he added.
Currently there is no equivalent banking programme in Brunei targetting the same group of customers.
Meanwhile, the bank’s Head of Retail Banking and Branch Network Pengiran Azaleen bin Pengiran Dato Haji Mustapha explained, “For catering to this market segment, we have overhauled the current programme with a fresh new look and improved benefits to match their lifestyle.”
He said, “The programme is created on the principles of the four pillars: Smart Financial Privileges, Smart Wallet, Smart Lifestyle and Smart Digital Bank.”
Under the Smart Financial Privileges, Imhof explained, “The SEP has tailored solutions ranging from preferential rates on loans to fantastic investment packages to assist this segment achieve their goals such as getting their first home, purchasing their first car or saving for their children’s education.”
For the Smart Wallet, the Baiduri Bank CEO said, “The revamped SEP comes with a special Baiduri Smart Executive branded card and travel and lifestyle benefits which are applicable locally and globally.”
Pengiran Azaleen added, “The internationally accepted Baiduri Smart Executive Visa Platinum Debit Card brings the cardholder benefits such as VIP privileges.
“The cardholder is also entitled for up to six complimentary visits to over 850 airport lounges worldwide and discounts of up to 50 per cent at over 900 dining outlets in airports worldwide (with the Airport Companion Programme by DragonPass). “Additionally, the cardholder can have access to various travel privileges and rewards,” he added.
Under the Smart Lifestyle, SEP members get invited to events and insightful seminars where they are empowered with tools to achieve financial success and is linked to a list of Smart Partners.
Pengiran Azaleen said, “We’ve teamed up with a suite of Smart Partners to offer exclusive discounts ranging from health and fitness, travel and dining overseas, automobile dealerships as well as tech and gadgets.”
The Smart Digital Bank offers digital banking that keeps track of finances, settles bills, purchases top-ups or transfers funds locally and abroad through Baiduri Personal i-Banking using any mobile device.
A 24-hour customer helpline and an extensive network of ATMs are available as well for these members.
On the Smart Executive Programme’s hummingbird origami logo, Pengiran Azaleen said, “The hummingbird is a symbol of freedom and intelligence while the origami represents multiple folds where each one has a purpose, driven to chart a focussed financial path.”
He also outlined the Smart Financial Privileges under the SEP such as processing fee discount, processing fee waiver for second home loan, unit trusts sales charge discount, shopping vouchers for every approved savings and protection plan, as well as express lane for hire purchase payment.
Other privileges include complimentary Baiduri Master Card auto direct prepare card, waiver for vehicle registration card withdrawal deposit, insurance renewal discount and delivery service, and exclusive invites to motor shows as well as a four per cent hire purchase preferential rate.
In conjunction with the re-launch of the SEP, Baiduri Bank is offering a welcome reward of BND300 for the first 30 new sign-ups who successfully apply for loan (personal) amounting BND10,000 and above, or a loan (home ownership) of BND50,000 and above, or a unit trust valued at BND20,000 and above, or a wealth management life insurance product with a yearly minimum of BND1,200 or a hire purchase totalling BND30,000 and above.