HSBC has announced that it is stepping up its Cardmania Campaign of prizes and incentives over the coming weeks to encourage further use of cards during the euro changeover and so reduce the risk of cash in shops. Besides the fantastic prizes already on offer since the beginning of December, HSBC card users will also have the possibility during January of winning fantastic cash prizes. Fifty customers could be the lucky winners of a cash prize of no less than Lm100 (Eur233.33) each. Some of the other prizes include a Plasma TV, an LCD screen, Personal Computers and laptops.

At the same time, the bank said, a separate but equally attractive campaign will be launched for the thousands of retailers and merchants who bank with HSBC. Details of the campaign, which will also start in January, will be communicated directly to shop owners and retailers.

Shaun Wallis, HSBC CEO said: “We always like to recognise and reward customer loyalty. The January campaign is just one in a series of campaigns we carry out throughout the year for both our personal and business customers. January is not such a busy month after Christmas but greater use of electronic machines and cards will both help generate business and reduce the risk of cash in shops during the euro period.”