Zwitserleven sets out a new course with the introduction of three retail savings products. The savings products can only be taken out and managed online. By means of Zwitserleven Sparen, Zwitserleven offers a competitive interest rate that is higher than that of the three major Dutch banks. "At a time like this, there is a clear need for easy-to-understand savings products. By means of Zwitserleven Sparen we want everyone to be able to save for their financial future and realise their dreams", says Maarten Edixhoven, Chairman of the Board at Zwitserleven.

It is remarkable that despite the crisis, 73 per cent of the Dutch people is optimistic about the future and that 81 per cent dreams about the future in times of crisis. This is revealed by a TNS NIPO study commissioned by Zwitserleven. Short term, the Dutch mostly think of travelling and a job. Over the long term, dreams are about travelling and health. 72 per cent of the Dutch think money is needed to make dreams come true. 62 per cent actually saves money for this purpose. The study also shows that Dutch people have a great need to save money. 80 per cent of the Dutch saves and nearly six out of ten do so consciously.

"We encourage all Dutch people to think ahead now"

Maarten Edixhoven, CEO of Zwitserleven

By means of Zwitserleven Sparen, Zwitserleven introduces three types of savings products with an attractive interest rate: Internetsparen, Maandsparen and Depositosparen *. Customers can open and manage a Zwitserleven online savings account via www.zwitserleven.nl/sparen. Customers get an attractive interest rate on the Zwitserleven savings products. In addition they get 24-hur access to their own savings account balance, personal contact and a calculation tool to calculate the amount needed to realise the goal for which they are saving. In case of an initial deposit of at least 2500 euro or any additional deposits of 2500 euro (at once), Zwitserleven will donate 5 euro to the Nationaal Fonds Kinderhulp (National Fund Child Help, NFK). The NFK uses this money to fulfil children's dreams. Zwitserleven Sparen is offered through Zwitserleven Bank, a trade name of SNS Bank.

The savings product offering fits in well with the Zwitserleven Feeling. Maarten Edixhoven, Chairman of the Board at Zwitserleven: "We want to give the Netherlands the Zwitserleven Feeling. We do so by taking very good care of the assets of our pension participants on the one hand. But, on the other hand, we encourage all Dutch people to think ahead now, so they can make their dreams come true in the future. That is what people are saving up for."

Top 4 short-term dream goals (<5>
1. Travelling
2. Job
3. Health
4. Children + education & school

* Interest rates for Internetsparen 1.8%, Maandsparen 1.9% and Depositosparen 3.3% (reference date 22 July 2013)

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