NAPA -– At 1-year-old Bank of Napa you can do your banking – and make travel
plans.
Called the Bank of Napa Bon Voyagers Club and open to customers
and non-customers "55 and wiser," the unusual program has grown to more than 200
members and more than 300 participants in trips, seminars and social events,
according to Coordinator Karoline Hall.
"It's been phenomenal," she said.
"People in this time of life want to travel, learn and meet new people, but they
don't always know how to get a group together and tackle all the details. That's
where I come in."
Ms. Hall has supervised trips to the Gold Country,
Yosemite, the Getty Museum in Los Angeles and the Castello di Amorosa in
Calistoga. A planned trip to Italy is nearly sold out.
"We recognized
that a portion of the Napa market is maturing," said Executive Vice President
Thomas LeMasters.
"We were looking for a way to reach out to these
customers in a way that would enrich their lives. This type of social program is
a perfect example of what it means to be a community bank."
It's also a
good way to attract new customers and broaden the services it provides to
current customers, said Ms. Hall.
"Putting themselves into our capable
hands for an affordable, well-planned and well-led travel experience builds and
deepens loyalty."
Bank of Napa was founded by local business leaders with
long-term ties to the region. Its goal is to provide a superior and
community-directed level of service to individuals and small and medium-sized
businesses.
According to Ms. Hall, the most popular trip so far has been
to Santa Catalina.
"We traveled by coach, Jet Blue and boat. Once we got
to the island, we even could have traveled by horse if we'd wanted to. It was a
wonderful bonding experience," she said.
For information on the Bon
Voyage Club, visit http://www.thebankofnapa.com/.