•     Scotiabank only major Canadian bank to offer an American Express-branded card

•     Customers can earn up to four points per dollar spent at gas stations, grocery stores, dining and entertainment

•     Travel a key consideration in Canadian loyalty reward choices

TORONTO, Sept. 24, 2012 /CNW/ - Scotiabank today announced the launch of the new Scotiabank American Express Cards, marking a new strategic card-issuing alliance between Scotiabank and American Express. The suite of loyalty credit cards, designed for travel enthusiasts, comes at a time when Canadians are carefully evaluating the rewards they earn on the cards they choose to carry.

"This announcement launches a new collaboration between Scotiabank, Canada's most international bank, and American Express, a leading global brand renowned in the payments sector for excellence in travel, rewards and service," said Anatol von Hahn, Scotiabank Group Head of Canadian Banking. "Starting today, we are able to offer Canadians a new suite of travel cards which we believe lead all others in this market for travel rewards - which we know are particularly important to Canadians. In launching this card, Scotiabank is the only major Canadian bank able to offer customers the benefits of an American Express-branded card."

"Scotiabank is a tremendous addition to our network of bank partnerships that we have been building across 159 countries around the world," said Manish Gupta, Executive Vice President and Head of American Express Global Network Services - Americas. "By partnering with market leaders like Scotiabank, we can increase the number of American Express-branded products in the marketplace, expand the scale and relevance of our brand in Canada and drive more loyal, high-spending customers to merchants who welcome American Express."

The new Scotiabank American Express suite includes three new cards: the Scotiabank American Express Card, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card and the Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card. With these new cards, Cardmembers will be able to earn points that can quickly be turned into travel benefits. The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, for example, carries a new level of value in the market, providing four points for every dollar spent at gas stations, grocery stores and on dining and entertainment and carries a $99 annual fee, one of the most competitive fees in its class.

This suite of travel cards offer a range of exceptional travel benefits including: no blackouts, no points expiry, no seat restrictions and no booking fees; flexibility to redeem points towards all travel purchases made with the card, including those made via a website or travel agent; ability to use points to purchase an entire trip, including all taxes and surcharges; redemption for merchandise and credits to Scotiabank investment accounts or credit card statements; and highly competitive travel insurance benefits, such as Travel Emergency Medical and Rental Car Collision insurance. For further details on the individual cards and rewards, please refer to the attached background information.

A recent Scotiabank poll underscores the value that Canadians place on rewards when selecting their credit card:

• the large majority of Canadians (79 per cent) have a loyalty credit card;
• over half (57 per cent) say collecting rewards or points is the most compelling reason to use their credit card;
• 61 per cent of Canadians listed travel rewards as an important reason when selecting their credit card; and
• 69 per cent of Canadians said they would consider switching credit cards if a loyalty program which better matched their needs or lifestyle became available.

"We're listening to our customers and to Canadians more broadly and understand that people are looking at the value that they get from their credit cards when it comes to rewards and that they would consider switching cards based on an offer that better meets their needs," said Mike Henry, Scotiabank Senior Vice President and Head of Retail Payments, Deposits and Lending. "This suite of cards is a new opportunity for individuals to turn routine purchases from gas stations, grocery stores, dining and entertainment into relevant and meaningful travel rewards."

"We've worked closely with Scotiabank to help bring new innovative products and greater benefits and choice to their customer base," said William Stredwick, Senior Vice President and Head of American Express Global Network Services - North America. "The cards that we have launched today with Scotiabank offer an excellent way for Scotiabank's customers to quickly earn travel rewards and enjoy the privileges and benefits associated with the American Express brand," added Stredwick.

This new suite of travel-oriented cards joins Scotiabank's broader package of credit and debit cards designed for Canadian savvy savers, movie lovers, hockey fans and travel enthusiasts.

Canadians interested in learning more about the Scotiabank American Express suite of cards can visit their local Scotiabank branch or go to Scotiabank.com/4xfaster.

About the polling data
The Scotiabank Mega Poll was conducted online using Harris/Decima's panel. A total of 2,013 completed surveys were collected from a random sample of panel members across Canada. The study was conducted from June 18th to 28th, 2012. A probability sample of this size has a margin of error of 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and Canada's most international bank. With more than 81,000 employees, Scotiabank and its affiliates serve some 19 million customers in more than 55 countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a broad range of products and services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking. With assets of $670 billion (as at July 31, 2012), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/companies/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress. Since 1996, American Express has been pursuing a strategy of opening its merchant network and card product portfolio to third party issuers around the world. By leveraging its global infrastructure and the powerful appeal of the brand, American Express has established more than 140 partnerships in 159 markets across the world. Learn more at www.americanexpress.com/gns.

Scotiabank
Scotiabank.com/4xfaster
American Express

BACKGROUNDER: Scotiabank American Express Suite of Cards

Feature highlights:

Scotiabank American Express Card

• 2 points for every dollar spent on the card at gas stations, grocery stores and on dining and entertainment, 1 point for all other purchases with the card
• No blackouts, no points expiry, no seat restrictions and no booking fees
• Full-service travel agency and online booking tool to book flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages
• Ability to redeem points at or after booking for travel including airfare, hotel, car rental, cruise and vacation packages. Points can also be redeemed for merchandise, and credits to Scotiabank investment and credit products
• Highly competitive insurance benefits, such as Travel Emergency Medical (including travelers age 65+) and Rental Car Collision insurance
• $39 annual fee. Additional card annual fee is $15 and the interest rates are 19.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances, balance transfers and Scotia Credit Card cheques

Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

• 4 points for every dollar spent on the card at gas stations, grocery stores and on dining and entertainment, 1 point for all other purchases with the card
• No blackouts, no points expiry, no seat restrictions and no booking fees
• Travel service with access to global concierge specialists
• Ability to redeem points at or after booking for travel including airfare, hotel, car rental, cruise and vacation packages. Points can also be redeemed for merchandise and credits to Scotiabank investment and credit products
• Highly competitive insurance benefits, such as Travel Emergency Medical (including travelers age 65+) and Rental Car Collision insurance
• $99 annual fee (among the most competitive fee for a premium travel reward card currently on the market). Additional card annual fee is $29 and the interest rates are 19.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances, balance transfers and Scotia Credit Card cheques

Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card

• 4 points for every dollar spent on the card at gas stations, grocery stores and on dining and entertainment, 1 point for all other purchases with the card
• No blackouts, no points expiry, no seat restrictions and no booking fees
• Travel service with integrated travel and lifestyle booking concierge
• Ability to redeem points at or after booking for travel including airfare, hotel, car rental, cruise and vacation packages. Points can also be redeemed for merchandise and credits to Scotiabank investment and credit products
• VIP Pass, airport lounge access, car rental benefit
• Highly competitive insurance benefits, including Travel Emergency Medical (including travelers age 65+) and Rental Car Collision insurance
• $399 annual fee. Additional card annual fee is $99 and the interest rates are 19.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances, balance transfers and Scotia Credit Card cheques

Image with caption: "The new Scotiabank American Express® Cards - a suite of loyalty cards designed for travel enthusiasts. Customers can earn up to four points per dollar spent at gas stations, grocery stores, dining and entertainment. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Products & Services)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120924_C8830_PHOTO_EN_18288.jpg

Image with caption: "Anatol von Hahn, Scotiabank Group Head of Canadian Banking (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Products & Services)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120924_C8830_PHOTO_EN_18290.jpg

Image with caption: "Mike Henry, Scotiabank Senior Vice President and Head of Retail Payments, Deposits and Lending (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Products & Services)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120924_C8830_PHOTO_EN_18292.jpg

Image with caption: "Manish Gupta, Executive Vice President and Head of American Express Global Network Services - Americas (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Products & Services)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120924_C8830_PHOTO_EN_18278.jpg

Image with caption: "William Stredwick, Senior Vice President and Head of American Express Global Network Services - North America (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Products & Services)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120924_C8830_PHOTO_EN_18280.jpg

Image with caption: "Just landed! Scotiabank employees at the Aspen Woods branch in Calgary, Alberta celebrate the arrival of the new Scotiabank American Express® Cards - a suite of loyalty cards designed for travel enthusiasts. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Products & Services)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120924_C8830_PHOTO_EN_18274.jpg

Image with caption: "Just landed! Scotiabank employees at the Coburg & Robie branch in Halifax, Nova Scotia celebrate the arrival of the new Scotiabank American Express® Cards - a suite of loyalty cards designed for travel enthusiasts. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Products & Services)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120924_C8830_PHOTO_EN_18276.jpg

Image with caption: "Just landed! Scotiabank employees at the Queenston & Nash branch in Hamilton, Ontario celebrate the arrival of the new Scotiabank American Express® Cards - a suite of loyalty cards designed for travel enthusiasts.(CNW Group/Scotiabank - Products & Services)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120924_C8830_PHOTO_EN_18282.jpg

Image with caption: "Just landed! Scotiabank employees at the Rene Levesque & University branch in Montreal, Quebec celebrate the arrival of the new Scotiabank American Express® Cards - a suite of loyalty cards designed for travel enthusiasts. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Products & Services)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120924_C8830_PHOTO_EN_18284.jpg

Image with caption: "Just landed! Scotiabank employees at the 392 Bay Street branch in Toronto, Ontario celebrate the arrival of the new Scotiabank American Express® Cards - a suite of loyalty cards designed for travel enthusiasts. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Products & Services)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120924_C8830_PHOTO_EN_18286.jpg

Image with caption: "Just landed! Scotiabank employees at the Shaughnessy Station branch in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia celebrate the arrival of the new Scotiabank American Express® Cards - a suite of loyalty cards designed for travel enthusiasts. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Products & Services)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120924_C8830_PHOTO_EN_18294.jpg

SOURCE: Scotiabank - Products & Services