Bank Sohar launches Excel Visa Debit Electron cards |
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MUSCAT -- Bank SoharBank Sohar
will be issuing the Excel Visa Debit Electron Cards to its customers starting today. The bank has made elaborate arrangements at all the branches for smooth transition. With the introduction of 'Excel Visa Debit Electron Cards', Bank SoharBank Sohar
customers will now have the added convenience of using the cards at Visa 'point of sale' machines locally and internationally for making purchases in shops, restaurants, supermarkets etc in Oman and all over the world. In addition, Bank SoharBank Sohar
customers will enjoy access to their funds through ATMs for cash withdrawals internationally. The Bank Sohar Visa Debit Electron Card can be used electronically for cash withdrawals at more than one million ATMs and for payment at 29 million merchant locations worldwide, including Oman. In a statement to the media, Bank SoharBank Sohar
said that, even though the existing ATM cards issued by the bank were providing their customers access to their funds through a large number of ATMs operated through the OmanSwitch and GCCNet, these cards were not certified for use at Point of Sale machines for purchases. This limitation prompted Bank SoharBank Sohar to initiate the Visa Electron project of providing their customers with a global cash withdrawal and payment solution. By virtue of being a debit card, the card will be linked directly to the customer's account. Every cash withdrawal at an ATM or payment at a point of sale will result in a direct debit of the account. There is no membership fee and the card will be issued to eligible customers free of charge. Since it is a debit card linked to the customer's account, there is no interest to be paid. The extent of use will be the available balance of funds in the account.
The bank has also started the process of EMV certification for its Visa Debit Electron Cards, and is planning to start issuing Chip Visa Debit Electron Card in 2009 with added security features.
"With the introduction of Excel Visa Debit Electron Cards, we are getting closer towards providing 'Life Cycle Banking Solutions' to our esteemed customers," said Nani B. Javeri, chief executive officer, of Bank SoharBank Sohar
. A wide array of card products ranging from classic, gold and platinum credit cards, easy and convenient pre-paid cards, financial solutions through unique personal, housing and educational loans, and complementing investment options through savings, current and term deposits coupled with the convenient touch points of branches, ATMs, Internet Banking, SMS Banking and Call Centre services, today Bank SoharBank Sohar
has successfully brought the world class banking to its' customers. "We will enrich our products and services bouquet with few more attractive offerings that are first time in Oman," added Javeri.
"The Bank Sohar Visa Debit Electron Card will be given to every active accountholder of the Bank. The bank will undertake a major exercise and contact customers individually through the branch network," said Khalfan Rashid A1 Tal'ey, DGM Retail & Banking.
He added that the bank has made elaborate arrangements at all its branches for issuance of Excel Visa Electron cards to existing customers. Customers are just required to make visit to their branch to collect their new Excel Visa Electron Cards.
"New customers of the Bank will from now on receive the Visa Debit Electron Card at the time of opening the account". Our customers will continue to enjoy the benefit of accessing their funds through over 500 OmanSwitch ATMs free of charge, said Khalfan.
Customers will also receive a complete Visa Debit Electron Card kit with guidelines for use and safety and steps to be taken in the event of an emergency. Activation of the new Excel Visa Electron Card of Bank SoharBank Sohar
is very simple. To activate the new cards, customers will be required to perform a one-time personal identity verification routine at any Visa ATM's worldwide. The simplified activation process at any of the Visa ATM's introduced by Bank SoharBank Sohar, is first time initiative in Omani market. After activating the new card, existing customers are advised to physically destroy the old ATM card.
The Bank SoharBank Sohar
Call Centre will be on stand by to provide support to customers who may experience difficulties. Customers are advised to report the loss or theft of a card immediately and are assured of a replacement card. They are also advised to make use of the Bank SoharBank Sohar's Internet Banking and SMS Banking Services to keep track of their account balance when using the Visa Debit Electron Card. With real time information from Bank SoharBank Sohar's electronic channels, a customer would know his/her balance and account transaction details on a 24/7 basis.
© Times of Oman 2008
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