Citibank raises bar with new card offer

<P>Citibank has launched an 'Instant Card Issuance' platform across its silver, gold, and platinum Visa credit cards, to enable applicants to receive the cards within one hour.</P> <P>"Most consumers are attracted by welcome gifts. But usually, they need to wait a long time before they can enjoy any benefits due to the card approval process or spending requirements they need to fulfill. Initial excitement will die down by the time they receive the credit card in the mail," said Ivy Lun, director of cards business for Citibank Global Consumer Group.</P> <P>Citibank is offering immediate gifts such as shopping discounts and the chance to win prizes like a 37-inch LCD TV or a Las Vegas-styled holiday to Wynn Macau.</P> <P>Wunderman Hong Kong, in conjunction with MEC, produced two TV commercials for the campaign, 'Domino' and 'Volleyball'. These show how far people will go to have instantaneous fun in a taxi queue. Supplementing the TV spots are print, in-mall decorations, merchant POPs and sales collaterals. </P> <P>Launched earlier this year in Singapore and Korea, Hong Kong is the first of the three markets to offer multi-location and multi-card issuance. Promotions are taking place through the end of September at Pacific Place for the Cathay Pacific co-branded card and at Langham Place through 15 October for Citibank Credit Card. </P> <P>Hong Kong is also the first in the Citibank global network to initiate the van mobile service to travel the city and issue cards to applicants on the spot. </P> <P> </P>