eBucks can comfortably claim to be the reward of choice according to new research by TNS Research Surveys. Respondents interviewed were significantly more aware of eBucks than any other bank's rewards programme - including their own bank's rewards programme.

The research was conducted amongst a sample of 400 people (half male and half female), aged 25 to 55, earning a personal monthly income of R6 000 or more, living in one of the three major metropolitan areas in South Africa (Cape Town, Durban and Gauteng).

When asked which rewards programmes they were aware of, eBucks was top of the tables with 30% of the 400 respondents surveyed saying they were aware of eBucks. Absa Rewards was the second most recognised financial services rewards programme with only 8% of respondents saying they were aware of that programme. Greenbacks trailed behind at 4%, while only 2% mentioned Standard Bank's programme.

Analysing awareness amongst respondents that use the respective banks, the research showed that 65% of those that use Absa were aware of eBucks while only 48% were aware their own bank's programme, Absa Rewards. Some 38% of Nedbank users from the sample were aware of its Greenbacks programme, yet 64% were aware of eBucks. While two thirds (66%) of Standard Bank users were aware of eBucks, only 17% were aware of its Standard Bank Value Choices Awards.

Lezanne Human, chief executive officer of eBucks, said the research shows that eBucks is acknowledged to be delivering a programme that is relevant and appealing, known for offering value to both members and partners.

"Considering the significantly higher awareness of eBucks amongst banking customers surveyed it seems people are telling us that we are getting it right. By providing our members with the greatest variety of spend opportunities as well as the choice of how and where to spend their eBucks, it is easy for members to experience the thrill of getting stuff for free. And it seems they are telling other people about their good experiences with eBucks."

Strong word-of-mouth has led to not only high awareness, but also high usage, as can be seen from the research. Amongst respondents surveyed, eBucks was shown to have the highest usage of the financial services rewards programmes. Of the sample researched, 35% of FNB customers are eBucks members, whilst only 12% of ABSA customers are part of ABSA Rewards, only 9% of Nedbank's customers belong to the Greenbacks programme and only 5% of Standard Bank's customers make use of the Value Choices programme, which their credit card customers are automatically subscribed to.

eBucks recently announced that over R1 billion worth of eBucks had been allocated by its partners since FirstRand launched the programme a few years ago. The greatest share of these rewards were allocated by First National Bank, who remains eBucks' biggest partner.

Note: Percentages in the tables do not total 100 because respondent's can give multiple answers and are included for each mention

About eBucks:

eBucks, the rewards programme offered by First National Bank (FNB) and RMB Private Bank, is acknowledged as one of South Africa's leading rewards programmes with highly active members spending in excess of 80% of the eBucks earned in any given month.