The first initiative under this partnership is the launch of the
Citibank-SMRT Visa credit and debit card programme, which
incorporates EZ-Link functionality and Singapore’s first travel
rewards programme that gives free SMRT rides. EZ-Link is a prepaid
transport smart card that can be used on SMRT trains. Citibank and
SMRT said that the partnership offers added convenience to SMRT’s
passengers, who make 2 million trips daily, by bringing facilities
that serve passengers’ banking and lifestyle needs within easy
reach.
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The Citibank-SMRT co-brand card offers Visa credit or debit card
functionality and the full suite of Citibank card privileges and
services, and the card can also function as a contactless EZ-Link
card that can be used on SMRT trains, buses and taxis. For the
first time, customers will have the convenience of auto top-up from
their card accounts for the EZ-Link function and can accrue rebates
with the travel rewards programme. Cardholders can enjoy up to 400
free SMRT rides per year using their rebates from the auto-top up
function and all credit card purchases, particularly grocery
purchases and at selected café outlets which yield higher rebates.
The Citibank-SMRT Visa credit card has already been launched, and
the corresponding debit card will be launched in the first quarter
of 2007.
Citibank also plans to open ten Citibank branches and 51 Instant
Banking Centres at all SMRT train stations, positioning Citibank as
the only bank in Singapore to have a presence in SMRT stations
across the island. The move will increase Citibank’s branch network
to 19 and ATM locations to 75.
Anand Cavale, business director for credit payment products at
Citibank Singapore, said: “Citibank has always been focused on
offering strong and singular reward propositions to give customers
significant value. The Citibank-SMRT Visa credit/debit card was
developed precisely with this in mind – to touch the lives of
everyone living in Singapore, especially consumers who use the
public transportation network. Based on our extensive research,
consumers want the ultimate convenience of a two-in-one
credit/debit card and EZ-Link card, and they want to be rewarded
for daily expenditures such as public transport fares, coffee and
groceries. This breakthrough in card convenience and value will
enable us to address these needs even better.”
Meranda Chan, Visa’s country manager for Singapore and Brunei,
said: “This new card takes convenience in payment to a whole new
level. With more than 3.3 million Visa cards in Singapore, this
card is a new way for Singapore consumers to have the global
payment opportunities of Visa credit and debit, combined with the
ability to travel on public transportation and utilise contactless
payment.”
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By GlobalDataJonathan Larsen, CEO and country business manager of Citibank
Singapore, said: “Citibank is delighted to be working with SMRT,
which runs what is arguably the best public transportation system
in the world. Our partnership leverages the combined strengths of
our two organisations, bringing real value and convenience to
commuters and showing our strong commitment to enhance the everyday
lives of consumers. This partnership with SMRT represents a major
step for Citibank as we reach deeper into the heartland of
Singapore to serve all segments of customers. It will also enable
us to provide unparalleled convenience and value to everyone in
Singapore every day.”
