The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) has announced that 12 children are the winners of its Annual Early Savers Prize Drawing.
According to a GBTI release yesterday, the winners had to be active account holders as of May 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020 to be eligible for automatic entry into the competition.
The bank explained that in recent years, three winners were randomly selected from across the network of branches and presented with age-appropriate prizes as an incentive for saving and for being a part of the Bank’s Early Savers Club. However, this year, in acknowledgement of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the bank decided instead to award 12 children – one from each of its branches across the country – with a cash back saving incentive.
Those selected are: Hannah Krishram – Water Street Branch, Khamesh Hector – Corriverton Branch, Alex Luke Bentham – Regent Street Branch, Maheshwanauth Doodnauth – Anna Regina Branch, Osaiah Ricardo Wilson – Parika Branch, Fieaz Alex Hassan – Vreed-en-Hoop Branch, Dwileen Adandra Coates – Lethem Branch, Teon Timothy Forde – Providence Branch, Shivraj Persaud – Diamond Branch, Daniel Andrew Allen – Port Kaituma Branch, Port Mourant Branch, and Damali Akili Kezia Knights – Bartica Branch.
On hearing of his selection, Doodnauth, 13, said that he started saving seven years ago and feels excited to be rewarded for saving with GBTI. “I started saving so that when I leave school I have money to further my studies.”
Adams, also 13, explained that he started saving with his parents’ support so that he will have money to take care of his education and future plans.
Krishram, 18, disclosed that she has been an Early Saver for the past 10 years and saves “for financial freedom, to have a secure future and for stability in case of emergencies,” adding, “I feel grateful to be rewarded by GBTI after so many years.”
The cash-back, the Bank explained, is one of the many ways that GBTI Early Savers account holders can benefit. Other benefits include discounts from selected stores such as Payless, New Era Bookstore and Giftland, as well as Summer Camp, and bursary awards.
