TORONTO, April 8 /CNW/ - Scotiabank has launched the new ScotiaGold
Passport for business VISA card to meet the needs of Canada's small business
owners. The card offers exceptional travel rewards and valuable travel
savings, helping small business owners get more out of their business
spending.
    "At Scotiabank, our first commitment is to provide our customers with
financial solutions to meet their individual needs and provide them with the
most value possible," said Rubina Havlin, Vice-President, Credit Cards,
Scotiabank. "Small business owners want simplicity and flexibility in a
rewards program, and the ScotiaGold Passport for business VISA card is the
ideal solution."
    Cardholders will earn one Scotia Rewards point for every dollar in credit
card purchases, and can redeem these for all kinds of travel - including, but
not limited to flights - anywhere, anytime with no blackouts or restrictions.
Small Business customers will also receive 5 per cent cash back on travel
booked through our full-service travel agency and charged to their ScotiaGold
Passport for business VISA card. During their trip, customers can benefit from
24/7 access to a worldwide network of experts who can help with driving
directions, restaurant recommendations, and theatre tickets through Scotia
Rewards Concierge Service. This card is modeled on the popular ScotiaGold
Passport VISA card that is available to personal banking customers who already
enjoy these benefits.
    "The ScotiaGold Passport for business VISA card encourages small business
owners to make the most of their spending with a key feature - combining
points with their personal ScotiaGold Passport VISA card to redeem for an
extensive array of rewards," added Ms. Havlin. To make it easy for small
business owners to take advantage of this feature, ScotiaGold Passport for
business VISA cardholders will receive a 50 per cent discount on the annual
fee of the personal ScotiaGold Passport VISA card.
    "We understand how important time is for small business owners," said
Kyle McNamara, Head, Small Business, Scotiabank. "The addition of the company
name on the ScotiaGold Passport for business VISA card allows small business
owners to keep their business spending separate from their personal spending
and simplifies financial record keeping while saving valuable time."
    As a special offer for signing up for the ScotiaGold Passport for
business VISA card, customers will receive 15,000 bonus Scotia Rewards points
with their first card purchase within two months of opening the account, as
well as a 1.9 per cent introductory rate for the first six months on cash
advances and balance transfers.
    Full details on this card are available at
www.scotiabank.com/passportforbusiness, and details on the Scotia Rewards
program are available by visiting www.scotiarewards.com.

    Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and
Canada's most international bank. With more than 60,000 employees, Scotiabank
Group and its affiliates serve approximately 12.5 million customers in some
50 countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a diverse range of products
and services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking.
With $449 billion in assets (as at January 31, 2008), Scotiabank trades on the
Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit
www.scotiabank.com.