The National Savings Bank (NSB) was built on the savings of villagers and the rural areas. During the 1970’s the percentage of savings from post offices was as much as 74 per cent of the total deposits of NSB, said General Manager of Eastman Narangoda at a media briefing in Colombo last week.

This contribution has dropped to a mere seven per cent today and the bank has initiated a campaign to re-establish links with the post offices, he said.

In order to make the contribution more effective and popular, NSB has organised a postal campaign to achieve a target of one hundred million rupees deposits through the 4000 plus post offices and sub post offices throughout the country.

The campaign which commenced on October 9 will continue till October 26 and those who deposit a minimum of Rs. 100 at the post office will have an opportunity to win cash prizes as well as Maruti car worth Rs. 700,000, he said.

NSB branches are also being offered attractive prizes to achieve a target of 1000 accounts per branch, through new school accounts. The total number of accounts targeted is 100,000, while the new deposit base is expected to be Rs. 5000 million, he added.

The special campaigns have been organised in connection with the "NSB Thrift Month" which commenced on October 1 to mark Universal Children’s day, and will end on October 31, World Thrift Day, he said.