Bangkok--May 24--SET
The second day of the 5th Money Expo, which is using the theme ‘Brighter Future’, once again drew an enormous crowd of visitors. There was a total of 80,000 attendees at the fair, generating THB12 Bln. worth of transactions. In attendance as well were two well-known members of Parliament, Messrs. Abhisit Vejjajiva and Korn Chatikavanij. Participating banks were confident that they would achieve their targets when they saw the overwhelmingly positive response of the event’s visitors. The investment units were completely sold out by end of the second day.
Mr. Santi Viriyarungsarit, chairman of the organizing committee, announced that Money Expo 2005 was well received by a very interested public. On its second day, the Expo attracted about 80,000 attendees, generating about THB12 bln. worth of transactions.
Participating organizations, e.g. commercial banks, state-owned banks, non-bank financial firms, life insurance/assurance firms; finance/leasing, and securities/investment management firms, competitively showcased their products and services by inviting actors/actresses or singers to their booths, plus offering games and activities for visitors to enjoy.
It was not only the general public who joined Money Expo 2005. The leader of the Democrat Party, MP Abhisit Vejjajiva, and his deputy, MP Korn Chatikavanij, also visited the fair. At the BAAC’s (Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative) booth, they, with the bank’s young presenters, joined in activities. They also visited the booths of some of the SME Bank’s clients.
The amount of transactions executed at the fair has been increasing, as there were special deals offered to entice the customers.
Mutual Funds Very Popular
One Asset Management launched its ‘1SG-LTF Fund’ at Money Expo 2005. The fund’s investment policy will focus on quality stocks that have high growth rates or potential, so they’ll tend to pay out high dividends. Investors will have an opportunity to gain both from capital gains and special tax privileges as their income from investment will be tax deductible up to THB300,000 but no more than 15% of their total income. Furthermore, One Asset Management will also sell investment units of its ‘1A.M. MM Fund 3: 1MM3 Fund’ today (May 21) at the Expo.
One Asset Management has sent SMSs to its existing clients encouraging them to come to get souvenirs at the Expo. And, customers will get souvenirs with buying One Asset Management’s investment units—a pen for an investment of less than THB10,000, a clear cup for purchasing units worth more than THB10,000 but less than THB30,000, a cap for buying units valued between THB30,000, and THB100,000 and a beach chair for investments greater than THB100,000.
For BT Asset Management, its fixed income fund’s units were sold out on the very first day of their launching. The fund size was THB800 mln.
Banks Confident Of Achieving Targets
Participating commercial banks are confident that the total amount of transactions will exceed their targets, due to the strong interest shown by the Expo’s visitors. The Government Housing Bank was satisfied with the number of visitors to its booth, which has recorded an average of 1,000 per day.
The Standard Chartered Nakornthan Bank Pcl. was also satisfied about its number of visitors as well as its transaction total. It targeted approximately THB7 mln. worth of transactions per day from loan and credit card clients.
The Thai Military Bank Pcl. targeted THB2,000 mln. in loans to be granted daily. The first day of the event went satisfactorily, as the bank did better than targeted.
Celebrities Draw A lot of Attention
Participating firms in the Money Expo 2005 offer various activities and ‘magnets’ to attract visitors.
Today (May 21) National Finance Pcl. invited well-known singers to join them at their booth. This included ‘O Lamduan’ and Jennifer Kim. The company also staged a fashion show and presented a seminar session on “Investment Strategies During Times of Expensive Oil Prices”.
Meanwhile the Bank of Ayudhya Pcl. (BAY) invited well-know actors/actresses from Channel 7 and singers - ‘Dan & Beam’, to join in the activities at the BAY booth. Five contestants in the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant representing the U.S.A., Japan, China, Norway and Thailand also visited BAY’s booth today (May 21). End.