Vardhana Garusaru for senior citizens

Around five branches will be set up shortly in the North and the East, DFCC Vardhana Bank (DVB), CEO Lakshman Silva said at the launch of the Vardhana Garusaru, a savings account for senior citizens on Wednesday.

He said that the bank's business in the North and the East has grown and added that there is enormous scope for the banking sector in the regions.

Silva said that citizens who are 55 and above are eligible to open the Garusaru savings account with a deposit of Rs. 10,000. It pays more interest than normal savings accounts. Account holders who make large deposits will be entitled to gift vouchers which could be redeemed at DVB partner outlets such as the Asiri Group of Hospitals, Vision Care and Sarasavi Bookshop.

"Account holders will be entitled to a host of medical benefits such as discounts on medical bills, spectacles and eye-wear, books, magazines and other publications," Silva said.DVB which currently operates around 129 branches and service units across the country plans to launch a woman-only account. DVB, a subsidiary of DFCC Bank was set up in 2003 and it operates current accounts, savings accounts, fixed deposits, foreign currency accounts and trade related finances.

- LF