Bank of Valletta launches new Visa Platinum card

-Aimed at giving clients greater financial freedom

Bank of Valletta launched another new product on the Maltese market - the BOV Visa Platinum Card. This is a prestigious credit card, aimed at helping customers meet their objectives by giving them greater financial freedom.

Besides offering a minimum credit limit of Lm5,000, BOV Platinum Card holders will benefit from life insurance cover, global customer assistance service, membership with Priority Pass, membership with International Airline Passengers Association, travel and purchase protection insurance, special discounts from BUPA, Platinum Points and a Go Mobile Introductory Offer.

Addressing the launch of this latest BOV product, Bank of Valletta Chairman, Joseph F X Zahra said that "with the launch of the new BOV Visa Platinum Card, Bank of Valletta is yet registering another first on the Maltese market. Indeed, BOV is once again anticipating the customers' needs by offering a prestigious credit card that goes beyond what was till now available in Malta. In fact we are now enabling our clients to enhance their purchasing power and giving them more financial control and flexibility."

Mr Zahra spoke about the Bank's track record in the area of cardbusiness. He said that the Bank pioneered in this field when, in March 1987, it was the first Maltese bank to launch the BOV Visa Classic Card. Two years later, BOV also launched the BOV MasterCard, becoming the first Maltese bank to offer two credit cards to its customers. BOV also launched the Cashlink Card in 1989. Other successes registered by BOV include the upgrading of the Cashlink Card to a debit card in 1994 and the launch of the BOV Visa Electron Card in 1994.

Mr Zahra said that BOV has built a reputation of being first to launch prestigious card products on the local market. He highlighted that BOV was the first local Bank to launch the Visa Gold Card six years ago.

The popularity of this card had spurred the Bank to move forward with its product development in this area and today it was launching what is now considered as the most prestigious credit card available in Malta.

Platinum cardholders are automatically entitled to life assurance to cover outstanding liability up to a maximum of Lm3000. Moreover, cardholders can benefit from free travel and purchase protection insurance cover. This includes cover for personal accident up to Lm116,000 and medical expenses up to Lm140,000 together with hospital benefits, cancellation and curtailment, loss of personal baggage, delayed baggage, personal money, loss of documents, travel delay, missed departure and personal liability up to Lm500,000.

Other benefits include Global Customer Assistance Service where if the card is lost when abroad, emergency replacement service is offered directly by courier or from one of the 5,000 Emergency Service Locations world-wide; Priority Pass which gives access to over 300 VIP airport lounges world-wide; exclusive IAPA privileges free of charge including guaranteed discounts of up to 50% at more than 17,000 hotels throughout the world; car rental discounts of up to 30% and Platinum Points through the Platinum Points programme. Under this programme, every Lm1 spent locally or abroad, will be returned as Platinum Points which can be redeemed against exciting offers in the BOV Visa Platinum membership rewards programme.

Cardholders will also enjoy special health benefits on BUPA (British United Provident Association) Health Schemes. BUPA, Britain's leading health insurer, is offering cardholders a 15% discount on thenormal subscription rates for private health care insurance. Upon application, all BOV Visa Platinum cardholders will enjoy Lm50 worth of services compliments of Go Mobile.