THE island’s first local bank continues to make banking history with another brand new customer-friendly feature: making it easier for anyone with aspirations of owning a home to do so – and quite easily, as of today.
1st National Bank has designed a special package to provide 80 potential homeowners with 100% mortgage financing — the first time ever, by any commercial bank operating here.
The brand new promotion was launched at the bank’s Rodney Bay headquarters yesterday.
Contacted by The VOICE after the launch, Managing Director Mr. Johnathan Johannes said he’s “quite happy” that the bank continues to blaze the trail in introduction of new services to its growing list of customers – and especially so at this time.
He explained, “1st National Bank has celebrated many firsts for and with the people of Saint Lucia.
“This time, our 100% Zero-Down Mortgage is intended to, for the first time, make the dream of home-ownership a very real possibility.”
But the MD said, “This groundbreaking offer” is also being rolled-out to coincide with another major milestone in the bank’s history: “Celebrating 80 years of serving the people of Saint Lucia.”
According to Mr Johannes, “We wanted to celebrate this momentous achievement of eight decades of service to our people and nation in a very tangible way that would benefit our current and potential customers.
“So, we designed this offer to target 80 aspiring homeowners from first-time mortgages, or persons who wish to build or buy another home.
“No one has been left out,”
The MD said the bank “has designed a family of integrated marketing communications to share the good news” of this no-deposit mortgage offer.
The package, he says, intends to reach every demographic across the country and includes TV and radio commercials, branded apparel, Social Media, Billboards, Bus graphics, SMS Blasts, Digital and Flyer distribution, posters, flyers, branch branding and signage.
According to the Managing Director of the island’s first indigenous bank, “We want to ensure that everyone knows about this life-changing offer.”
He explained that “Home Ownership is arguably one of the most important decisions that anyone can make.
“It is a symbol of independence; an asset in one’s goal of wealth creation; a legacy to pass on for generations to come and the environment where one of the greatest institutions of society – the family – is nurtured,”
The MD also noted that “The 100%-Financed Mortgage offer will be limited to the first 80 applicants to qualify.”
He pointed out that “Customers would need to meet the requisite criteria in order to qualify,” also indicating “They can come into any of the bank’s six branches, from Vieux Fort in the south to Rodney Bay in the north, to inquire and apply.”
Meanwhile, Mr Johannes told The VOICE, “Interested customers can start applying — from today — taking advantage of our bank’s Saturday Banking services, at specific branches.”