KBank’s Fabulous New Pokémon Debit Card

Expecting 200,000 cards issued in 1 year

Excited by 30-percent growth in their debit card business, KBank is taking another step forward with their new K-Pokémon Debit Card and is confident that the five designs of Pokémon cards they offer will be popular with their large cardholder base across Thailand. Given the ease of getting the card via the K PLUS mobile app for digital lifestyles, KBank expects 200,000 new Pokémon cards to be issued in one year. By the end of 2017, KBank aims to get the aggregate number of debit cards at over 12 million and total card spending of THB70 billion.

Ms. Supaneewan Chutrakul, KBank First Senior Vice President, has unveiled that Thailand’s debit card market has exhibited continued growth. As of August 2017, K-Debit Cards totaled 11.7 million in use for a market share of 15.3 percent, generating card spending of THB44.9 billion, 30 percent higher than last year. This very promising trend is due in part to KBank’s policy of issuing highly secure chip-embedded cards along with the government’s promotion of debit card use in place of cash. K-Dedit Cards have garnered a 40 percent market share in spending.

KBank expects to soon gain clear leadership in the debit card market in both the number of cards issued and card spending. Card designs using popular characters have gained them many more customers, and, after six years of producing ‘character cards’, two new character cards are being launched this year, i.e., the K-ONE PIECE Debit Card and K-SHINCHAN Debit Card. The most recent K-Pokémon Debit Card is the highlight of 2017, given a sizeable fanclub base of 12.8 million users in Thailand who have downloaded the Pokémon mobile game. In addition, Pokémon fans also love Pokémon animations, copyrighted goods, and movies.

Pokémon fans who want to apply for a card can get one via the K PLUS app, wherein there are five designs to choose from. At KBank branches nationwide, there are two designs available. Those who buy the card will also get a lovely Pokémon bag as a premium gift. The application fee and replacement fee are THB250 each, plus an annual fee of THB350; the delivery fee is THB37 when applying via K PLUS app. Besides, customers who apply for K-Pokémon Debit Card at the “Pokémon World” event, September 18-19, at the Fashion Hall, 1st floor, Siam Paragon, will get a Pokémon doll and have a chance to join in a “Meet & Greet” session with ‘Pikachu’ and friends, plus plenty of other joyful activities. KBank expects a total of 200,000 of these cards to be issued within one year, and aims to get the aggregate number of debit cards at over 12 million and total card spending of THB70 billion by the end of 2017.

Aside from the introduction of debit cards featuring popular characters, other promotional campaigns have been used to stimulate card spending in place of cash. A number of privileges are offered to integrate with the lifestyles of cardholders who usually do not spend in high amounts, such as discounts for GRAB service, or on the purchase of SF cinema movie tickets, or to buy McDonald’s meals, etc. In online spending, e.g., via Lazada, buyers can get additional discounts from merchants or cashback throughout the year, and up to 10-percent discounts on the booking on accommodation at Expedia.co.th, as well as 7-percent discounts via Agoda.com, not to mention the many other promotions jointly offered with K-Credit Cards.

Furthermore, there are privileges being offered for niche customer segments that KBank wants to please in cooperation with partners. Million-Baht prizes and other 1,000 rewards totaling over THB67 million are given each month under the National E-Payment Program through to May 2018. These special promotions have greatly increased K-Debit Card card spending.

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