With medical aids cutting down on their optical care spend limits, eBucks members will now be able to enjoy some relief through a new partnership with South Africa's leading optometric chain, Spec-Savers.

This first "real world" way of spending eBucks will enable members to top up their medical aid optical spend limit and their cash purchases, as well as purchase frames, sunglasses and other eye care products 'for free' by using their eBucks. Another benefit to eBucks members is that, if they spend Rands rather than eBucks at Spec-Savers, they will earn eBucks on these purchases.

Commenting on the new partnership with eBucks, Geoff Evans, Head of Loyalty at Spec-Savers says: "Healthcare has become a fundamental part of life and Spec-Savers, along with eBucks, takes great pride in keeping people healthy".

This latest offering is the third new customer benefit introduced by eBucks in the last six months, with the lottery ticket offering being launched in November 2003 and the new kalahari.net partnership, which was announced in early April this year.

"We are continually striving to add even further value to the eBucks Rewards Programme in ways and with partners that are meaningful for our members. With the Spec-Savers partnership there is even more versatility, with members being able to choose whether to earn eBucks or spend eBucks on a Spec-Savers purchase. And, for the first time, members are able to spend their eBucks directly, in the 'real' world. This is in line with our intention to regularly introduce new varied member benefits, ensuring that there is an ever increasing 'rewards' experience for members," comments Lezanne Human, CEO of the eBucks Rewards Programme.

The new functionality will be active in all 160 Spec-Savers stores nationwide from 4 May 2004.

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.