YEREVAN, February 26. /ARKA/. Russia-owned Areximbank-Gazprombank Group said Tuesday  its 304 cardholders used TEMPO service in 2012.

In 2012 the bank introduced a number of new products, including TEMPO service. Applying to this service, the customers can receive their remittances without visiting the bank, as well as get an additional overdraft based on the frequency and amounts of transfers.

“Over the year, some 304 clients used TEMPO service, and this year the bank intends to increase the number of TEMPO customers at least  by 10%,” the bank said.

Due to the new service, the remittances can be transferred to a customer’s Visa Electron or MC Maestro cards via one telephone call throughout a trading day.

To make money transfers one should call 8202 ( additional codes: 140,143,146) and tell an operator the password, client code and transfer identification code. Transferred money will be available to recipients on the same day if the transfer order is made before 17:00, and the next day if the order is made after 17:00.

TEMPO plastic cards are issued at the head office or any branch of the bank. Customers can apply for the card for free, and there is also no service fee. It is given for a period of 2 years. Conversion of remittances to USD or drams is made at special preferential exchange rate of the bank.

According to the source, the overdraft is available to those customers who have used TEMPO service for four months and received  3 remittances during that period. Overdraft is provided at 20% interest rate per annum. Interests are accrued only to the used overdraft amount.

“Another privilege of TEMPO service is an opportunity to increase an overdraft amount amid the up in money transfer transactions within a year, as well as to enjoy the bank’s preferential conditions,” the source resumed.

Areximbank-Gazprombank Group was established in 1998 for supporting entrepreneurship and serving financial flows between Russia and Armenia. Russia’s Gazprombank has been the sole owner of the bank since 2007. The bank has successfully passed ISO 9001: 2008 certification on compliance with international requirements. The bank has 16 branches, including those in 9 regions of Armenia. Seven branches are located in Armenia’s capital Yerevan. —0-