(PRWEB) March 31, 2006 -- National City is turning everyday banking transactions into customer rewards with the launch of an industry leading bank rewards program, points from National City.
“ With points from National City, we’re also making banking more rewarding by giving something back to our customers for things they do every da... ”
The program rewards consumer and small business customers with points for everyday transactions, like making purchases with debit and credit cards, paying bills online, writing checks – even improving a home or small business through purchases with a home equity or small business line of credit access card. Points are redeemable for a wide range of rewards that cater to the diverse needs and interests of consumers and small businesses, including gift cards from leading retailers and restaurants, office supplies, travel packages and consumer electronics.
Among the most comprehensive banking rewards programs in the industry, points from National City allows small business owners to combine their business and consumer points into one account, greatly enhancing reward opportunities and distinguishing the program from others in the industry. Families also can accelerate accumulation of points by consolidating multiple accounts from one household.
“National City has long been a leader in making banking simple for lives that are not. With points from National City, we’re also making banking more rewarding by giving something back to our customers for things they do every day,” said National City Vice Chairman Peter E. Raskind.
“Customers have many choices when it comes to choosing a banking partner, and we appreciate the business they entrust to us. We’re committed to helping them achieve their financial goals over the long term, and with points from National City, making their lives more rewarding along the way,” said Daniel J. Frate, executive vice president of retail banking for National City.
Enrollment in points from National City is free and simply requires a National City checking account with a Visa CheckCard. Reward offerings are extensive and points accumulate quickly through generous one-time bonus points for the addition and first-time use of qualifying National City products or services. For example, with as few as 2,000 points, customers can receive a $5 Starbucks or Olive Garden gift card.
Customers also can choose to accumulate points for larger rewards, with a four-year redemption window. For example, a typical consumer or small business customer can earn approximately 80,000 points in the first year of the program through ongoing transaction and bonus points. Redemption opportunities at that level range from an iPod speaker system to a variety of Great American Day adventures, including racing a NASCAR race car and taking a hot air balloon ride.
Customers can significantly accelerate redemption opportunities by consolidating points from National City accounts. For example, a typical small business owner who combines their business and personal accounts could earn 140,000 points during the first year of the program. Redemption opportunities at that level include domestic round-trip airfare with no blackout dates and three-night getaways at more than 100 popular resorts.
A fully integrated outdoor, print, online and television campaign heralds the arrival of points from National City. Featuring green points, the campaign launch was preceded by print and outdoor tease advertising that began in late February. The tease campaign included points that mysteriously accumulated on billboards for a number of weeks throughout the company’s seven-state footprint before revealing its conclusion: Introducing Rewards for Everyday Banking – points from National City.
The introduction of points from National City supports the company’s strategy to deepen and expand customer relationships. Other offerings – including National City’s innovative Switch Service that transfers checking accounts to National City through one point of contact – are helping the company achieve its goal to simplify banking and, with points from National City, make it more rewarding, too.
For more information and to enroll in points from National City, customers can go to NationalCity.com/points, or call 866-NCB-points (866-622-7646).
About National City
National City Corporation (NYSE: NCC), headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the nation's largest financial holding companies. The company operates through an extensive Banking network primarily in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania, and also serves customers in selected markets nationally. Its core businesses include commercial and retail Banking, mortgage financing and servicing, consumer finance and asset management. For more information about National City Bank, visit the company's Web site at
http://www.nationalcity.com.
