Diamond Bank, Nigeria’s leading financial institution, has urged more Nigerians to get on the GEMZONE platform, a loyalty reward product.
On GEMZONE, customers earn GEM Points from their everyday transactions.
The points can be used to purchase household items, meals, travel and movie tickets among others.
Explaining how it works to the media, Michelle Nwoga, Head, Customer Experience and Engagement Centre, said customers would see how many points they have after logging into their account.
She said: “You can access GEMZONE by visiting https://gemzone.diamondbank.com/ and register. Also on your app, once you click, it brings out your details so you don’t need to cram it; it’s very user friendly.
“All the merchants where you can redeem your points are there, we have classified – hotels, air, airtime movies etc. You can also chat with our customer care centre or check the FAQs for more information.”
Linus Iwuajoku, Head, Enterprise Intelligence and Strategy Division, spoke on the success of the GEMZONE.
According to him: “So far, our experience on the loyalty scheme has been awesome. It’s exciting when you’re getting money for making your daily transactions. We have over one million customers on boarded and we have noticed significant improvement in terms of transactions from the platform.
“It is important to note that if you decide to redeem your GEM Points with any of our partners, you need to do so within 5 working days once we’ve issued the e-voucher to you. However, if you want it delivered to an address, that will be done within 10 working days.
Also speaking, Sam Aneke, Head, Transaction and Electronic Banking, assured customers who often travel out of the country that their busy schedule won’t deprive them of GEM Points.
He said: “At the moment, the reward is only for Diamond Bank customers in Nigeria. But it does not mean if our customers travel out of the country, they won’t be rewarded. You earn points anytime you transact. So, you must not be in Nigeria to earn your point. But the redemption is here in Nigeria.
“Our app is used all over. Last year alone, it was used in 216 countries across the world. As the demand grow, we will continue to improve and also bring more local and international merchants on board.”
One of the merchants, Sailat Olatunbosun of Sufad Ventures, told newsmen how she has been making money from GEMZONE.
“I joined Diamond Bank in 2014. It was that first year they gave me the credit card but I didn’t use it. But in the second year, someone told me he has been using his card and have been earning some money. So, I decided to give it a try.
“In 2016, my accounting officer told me my points were building. I needed a phone at that time, so, I used the points to buy one. Last year I bought another phone; I still have both. This year, I used my points to buy a deep fryer.”
Another merchant, Onyibere Emmanuel of Emmanux Ventures Nigeria Limited, also shared his experience.
“I have been banking with Diamond Bank for many years. Initially, I too didn’t like the idea of credit card; I thought it was another was of putting one into debt through charges.
“At the beginning of this year, my accounting officer called me that there is something called GEMZONE and that I have some points. I didn’t respond at first but after some time, I noticed that I had accumulated over N500,000.
“I added little money and bought generator, television, AC, microwave and some other gadgets. Later, I called my accounting officer and asked if he’s sure the bank people won’t come back to say I’m owing them.
“He said NO; that this Diamond Bank loyalty reward is real. And ever since I’ve been earning more points. I thank the bank because I have benefitted from them unlike other banks who don’t give anything.”0
