MUMBAI: MTV is doing nicely for itself in terms of awards. Last year it bagged a slew of awards for its channels and programmes across Asia. Now its efforts in the marketing and promotional area are also being recognised. Its credit card launched in association with Citibank a couple of years ago has won the Asian Product Retail Banker Excellence Award for 2003.

The award recognises the performance of financial institutions (FIs) in the retail business in the Asia Pacific region. There are three levels of assessment. 1) Peer survey which consists of over 100 senior bankers from the retail finance sector 2) Submission on 25 retail FIs in the region. 3) Interviews with analysts and the banks which have been shortlisted.

The MTV Citibank credit card is the only youth credit card in the country, a ompany release says. It attracted over 60.000 members within a year and a quarter of the launch.

The card provides benefits through its feature partner programme. Through this 240 popular hangouts for the youth offer discounts throughout the year. Members also get preferential treatment at events and shows that the channel organises. Feature partners include Crossword, Fire & Ice, Taj Group, Club IX. Members also get zero lost card liability, ATM facility, free and automatic personal accident insurance upto Rs 1 million.