Societe Generale Ghana, has introduced a new benefit on its new VISA Gold Card with which customers can enjoy free medical assistance worth up to €30,000 to cover all trips taken outside, and for the first time inside Ghana, when they pay with their card.

The management of the bank including the MD, Mr Gilbert Hie, Deputy Managing Director, Mr Francois Marchal, Head of Retail Distribution, Mr Obed Hoyah, and Head of Privilege Banking, Mr Clement Aryee, in a press launch on Friday presented the Gold Card and the rationale behind its creation.

Mr Gilbert Hie in his welcome address stated that, the latest card service being introduced by the bank was in line with its retail strategy to focus on the market and develop innovative products that satisfy its needs.

Deputy Managing Director, Mr Francois Marchal explained that SG Ghana is not only one of the leading banks in the country but also an innovator in the industry, creating products and services which have served as the blueprint for many other banks.

The Head of Retail Banking, Obed Hoyah explaining the features of the VISA Gold Card mentioned that Societe Generale’s retail strategy is to offer a diverse mix of high quality retail products and services which are internationally competitive. He also noted that only few banks in Ghana offer travel insurance with medical assistance but none of them offer medical assistance for trips taken inside and outside Ghana free of charge.

“Usually travelers have to buy travel insurance for their trip to benefit from Medical Cover and to obtain their Visa for example to Schengen countries, which is quite expensive.

In case a customer falls sick or has an accident whilst travelling, the insurance cover up to €30,000 will take care of cost of hospitalisation, surgical operations, medical fees, transport costs, nursing fees as well as pharmaceutical products prescribed,” Mr Hoyah said.

On his part, the Head of Privilege Banking at SG Ghana, Mr. Clement Aryee, stressed that the benefit is particularly convenient for top affluent customers who are used to travelling, and do not have time to worry about cumbersome travel insurance application processes. “With the Visa Gold Card, they are covered and have peace of mind”.

He however noted that the Visa Gold Card is one of the numerous advantages the banks’ privilege customers may have at SG Ghana.

To benefit from the medical cover of the VISA Gold Card customers simply need to have SG Ghana Visa Gold Card and use it for payment of their trips. They also need to ensure that the trip was fully paid for with the Gold card, either online, at a travel agency, ticketing agent or bank.

Customers also need to make reservation and payments for accommodation by means of the card or withdraw money for the trip from the bank account associated with the Gold card 48 hours prior to the purchase of ticket for travel from place of residence.

Other unique features of the SG Ghana VISA Gold Card includes: Coverage for medical fees, dental fees, repatriation assistance during your trips inside and outside Ghana while travelling 100km away from home.

It also comes with free legal referral fees and can be used nationwide as well as worldwide.

The Card is chip based with all cardholder information encrypted. Therefore transactions can only be authorised with the correct personal identification number to prevent unauthorized use of the card. It can be used to shop online safely as all purchases are verified by VISA.

Users of the card can make payments at all point of sale terminals, view and print mini statements at an ATM, extended daily cash withdrawal limit, extended POS and online payment limit and also makes easy convenient access to funds 24/7

Societe Generale Ghana is one of the leading banks in Ghana with 37-networked branches across the country. The Bank provides Retail, Corporate and SME clients with dedicated innovative products and services aimed at anticipating customers' needs.

The Bank is recognized for supporting individuals and businesses of various sizes and backgrounds to achieve their full potential. The Bank is the foremost innovator in the Banking industry spearheading key reforms such as Doorstep Banking, Factoring, Foreign Exchange and Commodity Hedging, Consumer Credit Loan, Sika Card, Sikatel and Sikatext to meet its customers’ needs.