Sri Lanka's premier commercial bank, Bank of Ceylon (BoC) unveiled a new echelon in customer relationship management with the launch of its first Premier Banking Centre (PBC) in Colombo, according exclusive special privileges and benefits designed for a select segment of customers to be served at the new centre said BoC Additional General Manager, Dr. Sam Samarasinghe, in an interview with the "Better Living" Section of the Sunday Times. The new BoC 'Premier Centre' is located at 21, Flower Road, Colombo 7.the centre provides a personalized service to premier customers from the moment they enter the centre. As well as regular banking facilities, the 'Premier Centre' is providing business, investment, tax and legal advice exclusive to its members. A minimum Rs 10 million deposit is required to become a BoC Premier Member, he revealed.
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| Dr. Sam Samarasinghe BoC Additional General Manager |
The BoC PBC net work will be expanded by setting up similar centres in all provincial capitals countrywide in 2012 and the bank plans to open five more centres in Anuradhapura , Kandy, Galle, Kuliyapitiya and Kilinochchi by mid-2012 and more than 24 PBCs island-wide by the end of the year covering all districts, Dr. Samarasinghe said. He added that they will be serving only one hundred customers at the Colombo PBC with the aim of offering personalised service and giving priority to them.
BoC will cater to the needs of their premier customers throughout the country through the PBC net work in out stations as well. Dr. Samarasinghe, disclosed that BoC customers with a minimum Rs.10 million deposit are eligible to be served at the PBC. They will be served individually, fulfilling all of their banking needs, by specially trained staff, he added. Staff at the 'Premier Centre' has been provided with special training in Hong Kong and Mumbai.
The 'Premier Centre' concept was envisioned by our Chairman Dr. Gamini Wickramasinghe, who always is in search of ways to expand the organization's boundaries and infuse innovative thinking. We have designed and presented the PBC to our customers in a manner that it is placed well above the similar service centers operated within Sri Lanka, in line with our Chairman's thinking, he revealed.
"At present, the first PBC, located at Colombo 7, will be open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. However, BoC hopes to offer a 24 hour service following the popularization of the initiative", he revealed." As a customer of BoC Premier, you enjoy privileges not just in the way you bank but across spheres of life. BoC team of knowledgeable and qualified relationship managers will assist Premier Customers with their banking and financial advisory needs, providing a truly personalised banking service.
This Premier centre in Colombo will cater to Premier personal banking clientele who will enjoy the highest standards of privacy and banking convenience in keeping with the bank' global standards. BOC Premier is an exclusive service proposition reserved for the Bank's high net worth clientele, he said.
The Colombo PBC branch is conveniently located to serve customers with a spaciously designed banking area .The branch is well equipped with modern facilities and a dedicated parking area to provide customers the best service and a truly international banking experience at all times. The branch will also encompass a state-of-the-art express banking area with Personal Internet Banking, connection to BoC's 24 hour Call Centre, additional ATM's and Easy Pay machines to withdraw or deposit cash when required. Ample parking facilities are offered for the convenience of customers, who visit the branch, Dr. Samarasinghe said.
Dedicated Relationship Officers will be on hand to take care of the daily financial needs of these customers, and to offer investment advice and updates on latest developments in the banking sector,he disclosed. Among these special privileges is a host of banking services free of charge. These include debit cards, internet banking, tele-banking, mobile phone banking, balance confirmation, registration for and payment of utility bills and fund transfers.
The Bank will also offer special rates on the issue and encashment of travellers' cheques, foreign currency and foreign drafts and on the issue of credit cards and cheque books, he revealed. The Branch is computer-linked to all other branches and service points of the Bank island-wide, enabling online real-time banking.
Bank of Ceylon has also secured for premier customers a wide range of priority services and discounts at leading providers of healthcare packages and diagnostic tests, local and overseas travel assistance, home or apartment maintenance, pharmaceuticals, spa and beauty treatment and flowers and gifts."A bank plays an indispensable part in the growth and success of individuals and institutions," Dr. Samarsinghe observed .
The Bank appreciates the effort, commitment and dedication that are behind the success of these customers, and believe that such success must be rewarded with privileges," he added. He said the launch of the Bank's PCB Branch and the portfolio of special benefits could also be motivational to customers aspiring to climb up the ladder to become one this exclusive group.
Bank of Ceylon (BoC) is the largest commercial bank in Sri Lanka and it is the only bank that operates its businesses through its own branch network overseas. BoC is the bank with the best ratings in Sri Lanka with an over Rs 800 billion asset base. It currently has overseas presence in England (London), India (Chennai) and in Maldives (Male).
Bank of Ceylon is in the process of expanding its branch network in India further.BoC is the highest ranked Sri Lankan bank in the Banker Almanac and its customer base is over nine million accounts. It is the leader in inward foreign remittances with over 43% market share and in treasury operations with over 50% of local foreign exchange market. |
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