The heavy cloudburst on Friday evening, it turns out, was a figurative blessing of a new corporate friendship between Bank of Kigali and Marriott; it will see BK’s high-end customers enjoy generous discounts on services from the five-star hotel facilities around the world.

Bank of Kigali CEO, Diane Karusisi and Marriott Hotel General Manager Kenneth Shore co-hosted a cocktail reception at which they announced the partnership, to nearly a hundred customers of the Bank’s Premier Services branch.

Also in attendance were Bank of Kigali senior managers including Lawson Naibo, Chief Operating Officer, Emmanuel Gatabazi, head of corporate banking and Lys Mwiza, the Premier Banking branch manager.

The idea behind Bank of Kigali’s Premier Services branch, located on the ground floor of the Kigali City Tower (KCT), was to give its high-end customers a banking experience similar to that of flying first class.

At the Premier Services branch, clients are welcomed with a glass of a soft drink of their choice, shown to a soft leather seat in an air-conditioned room before a smiling relationship officer appears to take the client’s banking instructions. There are no queues.

While all BK customers are served with the most deserving customer care, the typical BK Premier Services client is a Chief Executive Officer, a high ranking government official, a top business person or any individual that wants extra-special treatment.

The partnership with Marriott is a match made in heaven. From banking and traveling first class, the BK Premier Branch customer shall now ‘sleep first class’ and enjoy generous discounts at the Marriott hotel’s five-star facilities around the world.

"We are very happy to unveil this mutually beneficial partnership between Bank of Kigali and Marriott hotel, two brands whose focus is giving their customers the best service experience,” said Kenneth Shore on Friday, while addressing guests at the cocktail reception.

The Marriott Kigali building was constructed with financing from Bank of Kigali and guests were praised, with Mr. Shore noting that that the hotel is a result of their effort.

Dr. Diane Karusisi, also speaking at Friday’s cocktail reception, echoed her Marriott counterpart’s remarks and thanked the Bank’s clients for their loyalty and good working relationship over the years.

"It is with your deposits and business with us that the Bank is able to finance great investments like this one {Marriott} and with this new partnership, you will enjoy some of the benefits of being a Bank of Kigali customer,” Karusisi said.

The highlight of the evening was a game where the guest’s business cards were collected and entered into a draw; BK CEO was then requested to randomly pick out one card. The lucky owner of the business card won a free night at the Marriott hotel.

Other customers were also registered to become Marriott hotel members and will earn points and other privileges whenever they spend a night in any of the hotel’s facilities around the world. 

editorial@newtimes.co.rw