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FRANK by OCBC – Who says banking can’t be fun?

10 November 2011 2,637 views 42 Comments

Some time ago, I was invited by OCBC to the launch of their new FRANK Store at NTU. (Yes, I’ve been an absolute sloth with this blog post; the store opened in June 2011).

But that doesn’t mean I don’t have a good reason to still share the news with those of you who don’t know about this!

“What is FRANK by OCBC?” you may be wondering. So I’m going to try to explain it the way I see it, and hopefully you guys will like the concept as much as I do!

To me…

FRANK is a ‘retail concept’ of a bank which comes in the form of a physical shop/bank. You step into a FRANK store and you’ll be surprised at how it does NOT look like a bank, but a regular store instead. It’s so fun, so non-threatening, so warm and so unlike a bank! It all ties in with OCBC’s new direction, of making banking accessible and friendly and easily-understood by its customers!

They’re really doing a great job at making saving and banking fun and accessible to youths, I must say!

FRANK is about being true (Frank, get it? Haha) to yourself (about how much money you have, how much money you owe, how much money you need to save).

Come on, face it. How many of us are really FRANK with ourselves about our monetary matters? In fact, I for one, hate looking at my bank balance until I absolutely have to! It depresses me. But NO LONGER! Cos now with OCBC, I get better control over my money, and I can save better! How? Read on!

So how do I get into this FRANK thing?

FRANK by OCBC has 2 main products – the FRANK Account and the FRANK Debit Card. Yes, both are interlinked. (Debit Card applicants must be above 16 years though!)

So let me share with you some of the awesome things about a FRANK Account:

No initial deposit – WOOHOO!
No monthly fees – WOOHOO!
Cash withdrawals at any overseas ATMs that carry a Mastercard logo
Practically no queues at the OCBC ATMs in Singapore cos there are over 1100 ATMs islandwide! (I always snigger and give condescending and patronizing looks to people who have to queue up to get their own money from their bank accounts, hahahaha)
Banking on the go – online banking and mobile (application and mobile-optimized online banking website!)
Attractive interest rates of 0.3% to 0.6% per annum (this is not an investment-based bank account, so that’s really what you get!)
And the best part is that you can create “Savings Goals” every month, which will help you save more! For example you can set a “Boracay trip” goal, and aim to put $100 in every month automatically. You won’t be able to touch this money or withdraw unless it’s an emergency (you’ll have to go through several steps to withdraw from this section of your account). You can have more than 1 savings goal too! See? Saving can be fun!

But that’s not all!

Each FRANK account also has a FRANK Debit Card tied to it. What’s so awesome about this debit card?It’s a MasterCard and NETS card, 2-in-1! Discounts as an OCBC cardmember! AND! The designs – WOW. Over 130 card designs to choose from!

Here are some designs that I really liked!

Camera, Broadway, coffee mug stain and giraffe prints! <3

The gallery of card designs available, on display at FRANK Stores. The designer series is updated frequently, so you can change the design of your card without having to change your debit card number, as frequently as you want! Over 130 card designs to choose from! Each change comes with a fee, but you can get it free now! Read to the end to find out how! (Giveaway, yo!)

Another design that I thought was super adorable… Hello, Kitty!

So I bet you’re not wanting to rush down to the nearest FRANK Store to get your cards. There are currently 2 Frank Stores – at NTU and SMU – but fret not, you can sign up for FRANK accounts and debit cards at any of the 54 OCBC branches islandwide too.

OKAY! So I have some news for you guys.

Those of you who want to get a FRANK Account and Debit Card, I have 3x FRANK card design vouchers worth $20 each to give away!

(It costs $20 to make each card design yours, or to change your card design). Do note: If you don’t wanna get a special design now, you can still get the debit card with the basic design.

With these vouchers, you can choose any design as your debit card, or (if you already have a FRANK debit card) to change your card design to any of the 130 card designs, absolutely free.

If you want one, just leave a message below before 17 Nov 2011 at 2359 hrs. I will pick 3 readers randomly to get a voucher each. This will be mailed to you, so please ensure you leave behind a REAL email address so I can contact you for your postal address.

Also, great news for those of you who have graduated from school. They’re opening a new FRANK Store soon, at VivoCity! It will be the first one outside campus, and you can head there to check it out from next week onwards, I think! Keep a look out! I’ll be attending the launch event for the VivoCity Store next week, so… Stay tuned for more cool OCBC stuff. <3

Debit Cards not your thing?

TADAH! FRANK Credit Cards are coming soon! (actually they’ve launched, you just have to go to the bank to request for an application form, or email frankbyocbc@ocbc.com for a digital copy)

In my next post, I’ll be sharing (raving) about the OCBC online banking site and mobile banking app. Both of which in my opinion are THE BEST in Singapore! As I tweeted last week…

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BTW, I just want to give a shout out to the senior bank executives from OCBC who came up to me during the FRANK store launch event to speak with me about a previous issue that I wrote about, on their bank services. I was surprised to know that they had read it, taken the feedback seriously, and was really glad to hear their reassurances that their backend operations are being improved. I just have to say that despite my previous grievances, OCBC still remains my bank of choice, not just because all the rest suck, but because they have proven to me that they are worth staying with.

(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

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42 Comments »

yizheng said:

I alsoI find its new initiatives awesome – e-platform, Frank concept store, debit card designs, saving goals feature. And cannot understand ppl willing to put up with Q at ATM for no extra benefit from that bank.

But I think ocbc doesn’t shout effectively enough on these new stuffs, not much talked abt. Maybe the targets are more at uni students. I like the card with envelope design. But $20 annual fee for debit card puts me off a Frank account, 1st year free notwithstanding.

# 10 November 2011 at 8:58 pm

Suek Wong said:

, the new concept looks so fun and it makes banking and saving money fun and easy! Their debit card looks so cool and unique! Hopefully I can get the vouchers and get my own Frank by ocbc debit card!

# 10 November 2011 at 9:33 pm

Lynde said:

Thank you so much for sharing!
Oh, there’ll be one outlet opening next week, hope to check out when it open.
So many designs to choose from till I’m not sure which to pick?

# 10 November 2011 at 9:59 pm

Rynaque said:

Yay! Lucky i found this blogpost. I wanna sign up for it but haven’t gotten the time!! I hope i get to win the voucher cus i’m aiming for the design with bold red lipstick!! Hehehe (i don’t know whether i qualify for this but i’ll just try my luck) hehe

Rynaque@gmail.com

*fingers crossed*

# 10 November 2011 at 10:11 pm

Sin Yee said:

Yay! They will be opening one at Vivo! Guess that’s the nearest to NUS too! (NUS does not have a FRANK store… yet…)

Good to hear that OCBC takes their feedback seriously too.

# 10 November 2011 at 11:05 pm

Kai Xin said:

@yizheng actually if you charge S$5 a day or S$1,800 within 12 months to your card, you can get your annual fee waived for the next year.

# 10 November 2011 at 11:38 pm

Jamie said:

OMG This is a really good idea! Love the different looks of the card. I want!
Jamie recently blogged… P_jamie: So nice to finally see a local face representing SK II! I <3! RT @Sheila_Sim: Day 2 for #SK2! Wearing cK and Topshop! http://t.co/K5V39xVr

# 11 November 2011 at 2:35 pm

Vivienne said:

This frank account seems very attractive to me and i so definitely gona create the account and get the debit card! Introduced this to my bf and family members, they are interested in it too! But my bf didnt wana pay for the card, well this is gona be worth it so im sure i can changed his mind somehow.
This account is cool!

# 11 November 2011 at 11:16 pm

YJ said:

Hey!

Thanks for the post! Got to know about all the usage and plus points of the FRANK card in such a short time. Definitely going to get it!

# 13 November 2011 at 4:04 pm

Roxanne said:

Hey! This card thing seems really cool. I hope I’ll get the voucher!

# 14 November 2011 at 1:19 am

Ruiting said:

This is just too cool to be true!
Ruiting recently blogged… #03 My Bucket List

# 14 November 2011 at 10:49 am

Christina said:

this is really cool! it really is innovative of ocbc to come up with this interesting venture for their company. it’ll definitely be the latest trend around – having good looking cards (: and really hoping that i can win the voucher because it would be totally awesome to own one of their designs!

sadistic_freak92@hotmail.com (:

# 14 November 2011 at 11:11 am

Chris Ng said:

Hope I can get a voucher. Been eyeing for a few of the cards and it doesn’t help that exam week is coming soon.

# 14 November 2011 at 6:07 pm

tstar said:

Hello OCBC staff (if you’re reading this)!

I’m just wondering how long will the promotional i/r last? And what will be the i/r after that?

Thanks.
tstar recently blogged… Window-shopping for love

# 14 November 2011 at 6:47 pm

Valentine said:

Gonna keep it simple! Hope I get to win the voucher so that I can get my FRANK by OCBC card soon! *keeping fingers and toes crossed*

# 14 November 2011 at 10:06 pm

Aniysh said:

Been reading your awesome blog and I came across this awesome post. Just trying out my luck here a bit. Hhehe. *fingers crossed* (:

# 14 November 2011 at 10:10 pm

Dawnie said:

Finally a bank that dares to be different
Lovin’ the card designs!

# 15 November 2011 at 1:35 am

Sarah said:

Thanks, Daphne (again) for this awesome post!!

@tstar FRANK will update all customers when the i/r changes

# 15 November 2011 at 12:48 pm

Shiyuan said:

Let’s be FRANK. Just gimme that voucher!!!!

# 15 November 2011 at 1:53 pm

Si Min said:

I hope I get the voucher!! :>

# 15 November 2011 at 3:38 pm

Grace Kong said:

was just thinking if I should get a FRANK account with OCBC. after reading this post, i think i probably should!

# 15 November 2011 at 10:00 pm

QW said:

Pick me pick me!

# 15 November 2011 at 11:21 pm

Shanice said:

thanks so much for the post.. really helped me understand the OCBC Frank concept more.. so going to sign up for an account

# 16 November 2011 at 2:24 am

Chew Lin said:

*waves hands* I’d love to have a voucher for a card design please! Particularly enthused about the savings-goals feature, but it doesn’t hurt to have some wallet-candy too.

# 16 November 2011 at 9:25 am

Lyndsey said:

heya Daphne, this looks really cool! love the kitten design too. and i spotted a black cat’s face on the website.
Lyndsey recently blogged… BellaBox: November.

# 17 November 2011 at 11:07 am

Jo said:

I’d really really really want the voucher!!! )) I’ve the heartfelt design for my FRANK card now, it’d
be nice to have a change!

# 17 November 2011 at 11:47 am

Charlotte said:

Hope to win 1! Really love the card designs

# 17 November 2011 at 2:55 pm

Serene said:

Wow, really like this idea of having my own personalized cards. This beats the Lady’s Card anyday. HAHAH! I think I’m going to get the one with ‘Too Sexy for my Shoes’

Way too many exciting designs to choose from. Wished I could change them every few days like I would with my shoes

# 17 November 2011 at 2:56 pm

Yanjun said:

Hi!!!!
Jemimah guided me here actually I googled for FRANK and found your blog as well hahaha would love you so much for the vouchers pretty please with big fat cherries on top? (:

# 17 November 2011 at 2:57 pm

Jun Cheng said:

Hey there, glad that you posted this just in time for my exams tmr! I’m supposed to do research on FRANK for my exam tmr, and happened to stumble upon your blog.

Thanks for the great summary there on their services, I’m gonna have to cite you for my papers tmr! =D

ps. I’m from NTU.
Cheerios,

JC

# 17 November 2011 at 3:34 pm

daphnemaia (author) said:

wow, really? there’s an exam about FRANK?! hahaha! all the best for your exams, then. 加油，学弟!

# 17 November 2011 at 3:39 pm

JGP said:

Me me me! I want! And I use my OCBC cards for everything! Meeee!

# 17 November 2011 at 3:43 pm

Dave said:

Would like to point out FRANK has one of the highest, if not the highest, interest rates for savings account! Awesome!

# 17 November 2011 at 5:45 pm

Dalena said:

oh my goodness – i just saw all 130 card designs and it makes me feel like throwing all reason out of the window and getting a card just so i can choose a cool design. totally wallet candy! :p

# 17 November 2011 at 6:23 pm

Elijah said:

Frank Card is so cool!I wanna get the one with the camera design! Hope i can have the voucher muahahahaha

Peace Out!

# 17 November 2011 at 9:08 pm

Lendl said:

Hello. Thought that this card is quite good, love especailly the “Savings Goals”, it will be very useful and come in handy for my friend, today is her birthday, I am not sure what to give her, thought of getting her to sign up for this useful Frank Card/account, there are so many designs, I am not sure which design she really likes, OCBC does not sell the Frank card design voucher?

# 17 November 2011 at 10:28 pm

Nat said:

In need of some vouchers to be FRANK !

# 17 November 2011 at 10:33 pm

Grace said:

Hi! I’ve actually bought the Candy Seduction design. The one with the sugar-coated lips. The resolution turned out pretty bad. Even my friends were stunned that I paid for the card.

Called OCBC and after their tedious checks with the “relevant depts”, I was told by the cust service executive over the phone that I should pay for another design.

I was so stunned and raised my voice a little, and the next thing he said was, pick another design for free.

FYI
Grace

# 17 November 2011 at 11:28 pm

Si Min said:

Hi!

Thanks for the post. I’m so tempted to get the card for my own now! May consider going to get the card soon @ the NTU outlet

Anyway I’m having the same NTU exam tmr haha, so thanks for all your info too ^^

si_min193@hotmail.com

# 17 November 2011 at 11:33 pm

Audrey said:

just received my basic design frank card; yesterday! & being indecisive as gals always do.. hopefully i get to have your voucher and perhaps… that will give me a decision to try out the design on my frank card! xP

# 17 November 2011 at 11:53 pm

ej said:

Hi!

aiya…I read this too late. I got the account, paid for the card design as well! But really love the concept, the whole OCBC customer experience and cool card designs!

It is my bank of choice too (after Stand Chart)

# 28 November 2011 at 1:57 am

daphnemaia.sg » Blog Archive » FRANK by OCBC design vouchers giveaway – Winners! said:

[...] here are the 3 winners of the little giveaway I had a couple of weeks [...]

# 30 November 2011 at 11:46 am