Monday, September 8, 2008

Standard Chartered Bank ‘1Money’ offer preferred mode of payment

Standard Chartered Bank, a largest foreign bank in India has launched ‘1Money’. Bank has designed a product to help the customers do away with multiple plastic. It is the first the first card which has combined benefits of a debit and a credit card. ‘1Money’, will give the customer the choice of using the same plastic as a credit card or a debit card.

According to the Reserve Bank of India in India there are about 26 million credit card and 70 million debit card users. Year-on-year this number is growing by 28% and 41% respectively and the value of transactions is growing in similar percentages by 20% and 37% respectively. Hence, it is time that the Indian consumers get the option to decide their preferred mode of payment through one plastic.

Speaking during the launch, Shyam Srinivasan, Country Head – Consumer Banking, Standard Chartered Bank, said, “Innovation has always been a key focus in our business strategy. As one of the premium issuer of cards in the country, we have always looked for customer feedback and translated it into the most beneficial products offered. We believe with this initiative Standard Chartered will be the harbinger of a new era in customer delight in the Indian banking industry."

Present on the occasion Sai Narain CDK, Head - Consumer Transaction Banking & Strategic Initiatives Standard Chartered Bank said, “To further enhance customer experience, we felt the need to launch 1Money. The card aims to give our customers the unique experience of using multiple cards while holding just one piece of plastic. It has been our utmost priority to provide unmatched services to our customers and with this new service, we also hope to reach out to new customers who have till date, avoided availing debit or credit cards due to hassles of maintaining multiple plastics.”

The key features of 1Money are:
  • The customer will get Visa Platinum Platform related benefits
  • Platinum events from Standard Chartered Bank
  • Cardholder will get Free Priority Pass
  • Free Dining Plus Card offering dining and lifestyle benefits across the country
  • Cardholder can avail Petrol Surcharge waiver
  • ATM / POS Debit usage of Rs. 200,000 per day
The annual fee of the card will be Rs. 6000. Initially the card will be launched in the key metros and later it would be rolled out across in other cities.