KIST backs cyclist's Everest bid

Kist Bank Ltd is planning to scale Mt Everest in 2010 through its brand ambassador Pushkar Shah, a renowned cyclist of Nepal.

The bank has launched two accounts -- Kist Peace Savings and Kist Peace Fixed Deposit-- to support the move from today.

The bank is planning to contribute to the Mt Everest expedition through its new accounts opening scheme.

As per the plan, Kist Bank will contribute 50 per cent of the opening amount to the expedition fund from Kist Peace Savings and Rs 500 per 1,00,000 deposit from Kist Peace Fixed Deposit.

The contribution will be named according to account holders, said Kist deputy general manager Bal Narsingh Gharti.

Kist Peace Savings account can be opened with Rs 100 while Rs 10,000 is the minimum mark for Kist Fixed Deposit account with 6.25 per cent and 9 per cent interest per year on the accounts, respectively. Kist Peace Savings account holders will get free debit ATM card, any-branchbanking and SMS banking. Kist is expecting good response to these new schemes. "At least 1,00,000 new accounts will be opened within the next five months," said managing director Kamal Gyawali. Kist is supporting Shah since 2007, sponsoring his world cycle tour.

"We will make the expedition a grand success through mass campaign," Gyawali added.

Cyclist Shah has plan to plant 150 flags on the top of Mt Everest where he visited during his 12 years of cycling that ended in 2009.

`I will leave Kathmandu for Everest base camp by cycle in April," he said. The cost of the expedition is Rs 10.7 million." Meanwhile, Kist bank has launched separate scheme for journalists. The Kist Journalist Peace Savings account offers 6.75 per cent interest on daily deposit.

"We are offering free debit ATM card, SMS banking, 50 per cent discount on locker and 25 per cent discount on service charge in lending," said Gharti. Meanwhile, Kist Bank also donated a computer set worth Rs 25,000 to Shiva Madan Higher Secondary School, Shaktinetta, in Arghakhanchi district.