"We are delighted to offer a differentiated programme with dynamic value additions that are yet to be offered by any other bank in the country. This supports and reiterates the Bank's mission in ushering in a new level of services aimed at simplifying the lives of our customers. When designing this product we took into account the busy schedules of our customers and understood of the necessity of having a bank that was flexible enough to go to the customer, as opposed to the very traditional form where the customer is expected to come to the bank. Having set new standards in banking services when we first launched 365 days banking several years ago, we are pleased once again to keep raising the bar in terms of customer expectations and banking service levels in the country" said Zulfiqar Zavahir, CEO of Nations Trust Bank on the re-launch of the Inner Circle membership programme, at the Cinnamon Grand's, yesterday. Further talking of the assets and profits in his welcome speech the CEO said that with their past five years strategy plans have escalated their profits up to 500 million and their assets up to 60 billion by 2007. On talking of re-branding the CEO note that the simple logo of the Bank signifies the simplicity and the convenience the bank expect to render to the customers and today's launch is another one more step in fulfilling that vision of the logo.

Inner Circle offers priority banking services managed by Inner Circle ambassadors through exclusive counters at Nations Trust Bank branches. In addition to the re-launch of the Inner Circle membership programme, the Bank further announced several key value additions to the service such as Life Style banking as well as Relationship Management with the most significant service being the unique Bank at your Doorstep facility.

Captivatingly titled "Introducing the world of red carpet banking" the campaign offers the bank's Inner Circle members a chance to be recognized and rewarded through superior service and unique banking solutions that are tailored around the busy schedules of the banks customers. The Bank at your Doorsteps will be offered exclusively to the Inner Circle members, with this new service promising to offer levels of convenience and flexibility yet to be seen in the current financial services market.

Demonstrating the ease through which bank at your Doorsteps service works, Renuka Fernando, DGM Consumer Banking at Nations Trust Bank PLC explained the key features such as to bring convenience and simplicity; to bring recognition and to bring value added priviledge. The membership service of Inner Circle is for the Busy, such as working executives, working professionals, businessmen etc. with regard to the Bank at your Doorsteps which is offered to the Inner Circle members she said that the customers can simply call the bank on 0114626262, to request for a service such as cash withdrawal, cash transfer, delivery etc.. Within as hour's time, an agent from the Bank will arrive at the given location and deliver the required amount. The limit of delivery of cash is up to the value of 100,000. A member will get free four visits per month and per visit any number of transactions can be done. This facility is only available within 10 km radius from NTB branches in Colombo, Kurunegala, Kandy, Galle and Matara, from 8am to 9pm.

With regard to the Relationship Management Ms. Fernando further said that a relationship officer is allocated to the customers and they give free advice and support in wealth management. Also there will be dedicate branch counters for easy transactions.

The Inner Circle members will be automatically offered with American Express Gold card Membership as NTB is the sole issuers and acquirer for American Express Credit Cards in Sri Lanka. Through this 24 hours customer service, emergency service, free travels and medical insurance will be offered to the members. With regard to preferential rates and tariffs, she noted about the special rates for LKR deposits and FCY deposits. Also special tariffs and lower rates are implemented in the service programme.

Answering the media she further spoke on the membership criteria. A minimum deposit of Rs. 500,000/- along with either a savings or current account with Nations Trust Bank is all that is required to be eligible to become an Inner Circle member and to avail your self to the host of services such as Bank at your Doorstep service, relationship managers, priority counters and exclusive rates ad benefits. Other channels of interaction include 365 day extensive branch network, fully automated Personal Banking Centers at select Keels Super outlets, Internet Banking, Phone banking and the Call Centre will offer customer service with ease. Thus about 35% of the total customers will be eligible to be Inner Circle members.