As a part of its efforts to foster relationship with the Indian community, ASB Bank Limited organised its first ever Diwali festival on November 3 at the Commerce Club in the opulent Auckland suburb of Remuera.
As well as Members of Parliament Dr Rajen Prasad (Labour) and Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi (National), a number of community leaders and bank officials attended the event, which was among the best of its type held in recent weeks.
ASB officials closed ethnic ranks, with men donning the increasingly popular Kurtas (Long sleeved Shirts) and women attired in colourful sarees and mingled with a predominantly Indian audience.
They were treated to humour, Indian culture, entertainment and cuisine.
A number of clients and potential clients of the Bank returned home assured of the fact that from here on, they could depend on the Bank in times of need.
That in essence was the objective of the evening – to assure the banking public that they could depend on ASB for their banking and other requirements.
Business Development Manager (Indian Segment) Dev Dhingra was in his elements, adlibbing as the Master of Ceremonies and paying tributes to women, who he described as symbols of motherhood, love and care.
“Indians have always accorded a place of respect and importance for women at home and in the society. We regard them with esteem as mothers, sisters, wives, daughters and daughters-in-law. There is a special bond between us,” he said.
Quality service
The Bank’s General Manager (Premium Customers and Emerging Markets) Kerry Boielle said ASB had products and programmes to meet the growing needs of various business groups and communities.
“ASB continues to serve the Indian community with our team of qualified specialists and commitment to unbeatable service,” she said.
Economist Jane Turner outlined the Bank’s forecast of the performance of the New Zealand economy using economic indicators including the job market, expected global trends, foreign trade, the New Zealand dollar and the interest rate movements.
Among the other senior officials present at the function were General Manager Business Banking Nick Stanhope and Senior Manager Trade Finance (Global Transaction Banking) Dwayne Jones.
The Indian Segment team included Dan Curran (Commercial Manager), Mr Dhingra, Jasdeep Talwar (Insurance Manager), Mark Sutton (Commercial Manager), Parvez Bhandari (Business Managter), Peter Cotton (Property Finance Manager), Ravi Vaddagiri (Business Manager) and Surinder Ogra, Business Development Manager (Trade Finance).
