Lebanese banks have probably realized they will never be able to improve their customer service, so they opted for producing some cools ads instead. First Jammal Trust Bank, then Bank Audi, and now Byblos Bank.
Kudos to the agency that came up with this one!
I stumbled upon this cool kiosk by Bank Audi on Saturday night at City Mall. Aside from the ATM on the right, there are two large screens that, among many options, allow you to do a video call with one of the bank’s representatives and inquire them about their services. A room offering privacy is also available in the back, which I assume can be used to sign confidential papers and send them directly to the bank from within that kiosk.
The purpose of this project is apparently to let people get most of their banking needs done at a kiosk like this one instead of having to physically be present at one of the bank’s branches, which is pretty nice for people whose time is not flexible enough in the morning.
I just hope they’re putting similar efforts into enhancing their e-banking application as well!
Have you noticed the rise of group buying websites in Lebanon?
In case you don’t know what group buying is, it’s getting good deals at discounted prices on condition that a specific minimum number of people would make the purchase. For example, one of these websites can offer a discounted dinner at some restaurant (say $20 instead of $40) on condition that a minimum of 20 people purchase the deal. And usually you won’t be charged unless the minmum number of buyers is attained.
You might also be wondering how do these websites make money. To my knowledge, it works like referral programs, which means they get a small amount of money for each customer they refer to the deal.
While not all the discounts might seem tempting, but some deals are really good, I personally bought two entrance tickets to Laguava resort for $22 instead of $44 from one of these websites!
Here’s a list of the websites that get deals in Lebanon:
Any other one I forgot to mention?
By the way I’ve noticed that you don’t necessarily have to use a credit card on websites that use Bank Audi’s payment gateway, you can actually input a debit card number on condition that it is issued from Bank Audi. It worked for me on goSawa.
A friend of mine who works for Bank Audi invited me to a free concert they were holding at Music Hall where two of the bank’s music bands, “Band Audi” & “Audiyyat”, were performing to promote conscientious driving along with Kunhadi.
It was impressive to see these musical among Bank Audi’s staff, they were really good! Check the 2 videos I recorded, the girl in the first video has a striking voice.
On October 1st I published this blog post criticizing Bank Audi for planning to buy Ahwet El Ezez in Gemmayze and turn it into a new branch, and I based my post back then on a couple of blog posts that I saw here and here.
But according to Tarek, a fellow blogger from Waja3Ras.com who sent a complaint letter to Bank Audi about the matter, the whole thing turned to be a rumor, and below is the comment he left on my post:
From Banque Audi after I wrote a complaint email:
“We would like to assure you that Bank Audi has not bought and has no intention to buy ”Ahwet El Ezez” to establish a branch in Gemmayze. Please note that we already have a branch in that area.
On the other hand, Bank Audi is committed to preserve national and cultural heritage and has in the past shown its commitment. For example, the old villa in Achrafieh-Sursock has been preserved and turned into a cultural center/ museum.”
Therefore, and based on Bank Audi’s reply, I would like to apologize to them for the post. I should have double checked the news before writing about it.
I really don’t understand how Bank Audi who agreed to execute the below ad to promote a new credit card is the same one who’s planning to replace one of the oldest coffee houses in Beirut, Ahwet El Ezez, with a bank!
The old man in the ad (who appears to be living in a beautiful old house) is recalling the good old days of Lebanon, when he used to commute using the tramway, and go to Saint George, Teleferique, Casino du Liban, AUB, and Carlton (which was demolished few years ago). I’m pretty sure Ahwet El Ezez fits very well in this ad, but with Bank Audi’s decision to replace it, they’re just acting like a guy who hates himself! With the memories he’s recalling, the old man in the ad would never in his life want to see Saint George being demolished for example!
Photo via Beirut Spring
I totally understand Beirut is short on spaces for big offices, but it isn’t like Ahwet El Ezez is the last available space in the city.
Bank Audi is just committing a crime against Beirut Heritage. Who do they think they are?!
