Baiduri Bank made Brunei proud in the Gala Dinner and Awards Night of the Asia Pacific Bankers Congress (APBC) held recently in Manila on 26 March 2004.

One of the bank’s innovative card products, the Baiduri MTV MasterCard Electronic CashCard, was awarded runner-up in the Marketing, PR or Brand Management Project category of the Asian Banking Awards 2004, among 107 entries from 49 banks in 15 countries.

The Asian Banking Awards – Asia’s most prestigious banking awards programme – was presented by Asian Bankers Association (ABA) in cooperation with several national bank associations in the region and with The Economist as the official publication.

Presented in 2004 for its fifth year, the programme recognises and honours banks in Asia that carry out best banking practices. It has become the premier banking awards programme for the Asia Pacific region. The eight categories for the 2004 awards include SME Financing Product or Service, Development Project Financing Programme, Fund Sourcing Product or Programme, Risk Management Product or Programme, Micro-Finance Product or Programme, Marketing, PR or Brand Management Project, Customer Service Programme and Operational Efficiency Programme.

Based on the criteria established for each category, banks in Asia-Pacific were nominated for specific products, programmes and services that showcase best banking practices.

Awards in each category were made to banks in the region that, in the opinion of the independent Board of Judges and Advisers, have implemented or enhanced outstanding and innovative products, services, projects and programmes during the previous year.

Baiduri MTV Card was launched on 21 June 2003. Available in bright pink and blue, it is the first prepaid payment card in Brunei targeting at urban youths. The card offers the convenience of cash withdrawal at more than 900,000 ATM machines around the globe and cash-free shopping at more than 32 million retail outlets worldwide. In addition, cardholders are entitled to a range of exclusive MTV privileges, including discounts at the most popular stores among youths in Brunei, movie premieres and exciting monthly specials.

This is the first regional banking award Baiduri Bank has attained, in addition to the prestigious Bank of the Year Brunei awards in 2002 and 2003 and Bracken Award 2003, awarded by The Banker magazine, Financial Times Business, UK.

These awards affirm Baiduri Bank’s position as a leading bank in Brunei providing innovative financial products and services to its customers.