YEREVAN, September 23. / ARKA /. VTB Bank (Armenia) and MasterCard international payment system have announced today the launch of "Fly to Rio" contest, designed for customers who use very actively their banking cards. The contest features a televised drawing of prizes, VTB Bank (Armenia) said in a press release.

The contest is open to holders of Cirrus/Maestro® and MasterCard® cards, issued by VTB Bank (Armenia). Customers who will obtain these cards during the contest duration are also eligible, it said.

All those who will use their cards from September 20 to December 31, 2015 to pay for purchases in Armenia and abroad (including online purchases) for a total amount of 300,000 drams and more will get an opportunity to win one of the great prizes – 5 smart watches costing each 300,000 drams each, or the grand prize - a trip for two to Rio De Janeiro to attend the Carnival 2016, held annually in February, which is the midst of the Brazilian summer and lasts 4 days and 4 nights. The televised drawing of prizes will take place in January 2016.

‘MasterCard is a leader in global payment industry. We have good cooperation with it and this is not our first joint incentive campaign that finds a positive response among our customers ", VTB Bank (Armenia) CEO Yuri Gusev said.

He said non-cash payments by using MasterCard cards is not only safe and comfortable; customers get also the opportunity to win prizes, including the grand prize and spend an unforgettable time in Rio de Janeiro.

MasterCard's managing director for Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan Alexander Dunayev said together with VTB Bank (Armenia) they prepared wonderful prizes for all MasterCard cardholders, and will follow closely and with interest the development of the contest.

VTB Bank (Armenia) is owned wholly by Russian VTB Bank. It has 67 branches across Armenia, more than any other local bank.-0-