September 28, 2013, 3:43 pm Sunday Island
Sampath Bank, Sri Lanka’s leading commercial bank and American Express announced the formation of a strategic partnership with the launch of the first American Express Travel Prepaid Card - Sampath Bank American Express® Travel Lite Prepaid Card in Sri Lanka. Targeted at a growing segment of consumers in Sri Lanka traveling internationally for education, business or leisure, the card offers ease of use and convenience by enabling travelers overcome troubles of carrying foreign currency or looking for authorized money changers.
The Sampath Bank American Express Travel Lite Prepaid Card is a reloadable prepaid travel card available in US Dollar. Cardmembers can lock in currency rates at the time of loading the card, without worrying about currency fluctuation during their trip. The card will be accepted across millions of location globally on the American Express network and at more than 550,000 ATMs worldwide. Cardmembers will receive SMS alerts for every transaction to help keep track of expenses, while enjoying the trip. The Sampath Bank American Express Travel Lite Prepaid Card will be available at all Sampath Bank branches across Sri Lanka.
The card will offer travel insurance from Allianz Global Assistance offering travelers service anywhere in the world for help with replacing lost passports, translation services, emergency legal and medical referrals, lost luggage and theft assistance, a free Backup Card at purchase, free card replacement services, as well as access to emergency cash - all with fee savings and the promise of no hidden charges. The card will also come with a wide array of benefits through American Express Selects, with a choice of travel, leisure, dining and shopping offers in key destinations worldwide.
Commenting on the new initiative, Mr. Aravinda Perera, Managing Director, Sampath Bank said, "We are pleased to partner with American Express in Sri Lanka and deliver relevant, powerful and distinctive value proposition for our Cardmembers. We believe that bringing convenience and privileges to customers in Sri Lanka is a natural extension of our offerings and will constitute an important part of our portfolio expansion. The immense franchise value of American Express is a complimentary fit to our product suite."
Mr. Perera also presented the initial set of Sampath Bank American Express Travel Lite prepaid cards to the key invitees from the travel trade at the launch announcement.
Mr. Pranav Barthwal, Vice President, Global Merchant Services & Partner Card Services, India and Area Countries, American Express Banking Corp. said, "We are delighted to partner with Sampath Bank to bring the first American Express travel Prepaid card in Sri Lanka. For many years travelers around the world have relied on American Express to provide them with the best travel payments products and support when they are overseas. This launch is an important evolution in our relationship with travelers in Sri Lanka, providing them access to a product that is safer and easier to use. We are confident that the new prepaid travel card will be well received by customers in Sri Lanka."
"This is an important moment for Sampath Bank. It marks yet another momentous milestone in our journey which promises customers new banking products and services in keeping with current global trends," added Mr. Tharaka Ranwala, Deputy General Manager, Marketing & Business Development, Sampath Bank.