BANKING PUBLICITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 226, 24 September 1927, Page 4

BANKING PUBLICITY.

AMERICAN METHODS. What would be said (asks the Sydney "Daily Telegraph") were the Commissioners of the Government Savings Bank, on the occasion of the opening of their new premises, to announce a "treasure hunt," with the object, of course, of gettins in more business? Such a scheme would not be entertained. That it has taken place in the United States is evidence of the difference in British and American methods of seeking publicity for banks. The scheme in question was instituted by a Los Angeles savings bank to advertise the opening of new premises in one of the disteicte of that city. On the day pnor to the opening a key with a tag attached was delivered at every home with an invitation to attend the bank on the foHowing day, to see if the key would fit a JESSaJe chest" which was displayed m the public portion of the premises. Most of the keys were dummies, but a certain number fitted the lock, and the holders of these received savings accounts already credited with varying sums. Before the holder of the key was permitted to tr> it on the chest he was required to write his name and address on the tag, and hand it to the bank, which thus became possessed of a mailing list of people who had been attracted by the plan. According to the American "Banker," the plan proved eminently successful.