Bank Issues Gold Card -- With Real Gold
By: ABC News
Updated: October 31, 2012
Sberbank-Kazakhstan announced plans to issue a limited edition Visa Infinite Exclusive cards, made with pure gold, 26 diamonds, and inlaid mother of pearl, according to a press release posted on the bank's website.
The bank also produced a video highlighting the card's luxurious components.
A spokeswoman for the bank told ABC News it will cost $100,000 to obtain the gold card. About $65,000 of that goes into minting the card itself (customers will receive a plastic version as well), and the remaining $35,000 will remain in the user's account.
After the first year it will also carry a $2,000 a year fee. But for all that, card holders can expect top tier perks, including life and health insurance worth over $250,000, lounge access at airports, concierge service, discounts at hotels and restaurants, car hire, and more.
"Visa Infinite Exclusive is more than a bank card: it opens its doors to the owners of exclusive services and privileges," Galym Tabyldiev, the head of Visa in Kazakhstan, said in the Sberbank statement.
The bank will also provide cardholders a free iPhone 5 and a Montblanc card case. The bank plans to issue only 100 gold cards, but the spokeswoman told ABC News they will only be available to residents of Kazakhstan who have an account at the bank.
