Will Pensioners Be Able to Equally Benefit from the Opportunity? Only 3 Banks Have Joined the Program So Far

Recently, it became known that pensioners in Armenia will receive a cashback of 10% for purchases made using a bank card, which will be added to their pension for the next month, but not exceeding 5000 drams.

It is noteworthy that currently, the program is available only to pensioners who are customers of Haybusinessbank, Ardshinbank, and VTB Bank Armenia, as only these banks have joined the program.

Auroranews inquired with Zara Manucharyan, the press secretary of the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, whether any banks have joined the aforementioned list after the latest government meeting, and what steps the ministry is taking to ensure that all pensioners can equally benefit from this opportunity.

“As of now, these three banks are the only ones that have joined the program. From the moment it was launched, the minister has expressed readiness to collaborate with all banks. Work is currently ongoing to involve other banks, and there is no deadline for this,” she noted.

We asked whether there are any issues preventing banks from joining the project and whether they have indicated the reasons. “I cannot comment on behalf of all banks, but we continue to seek avenues for cooperation with other banks as well,” she stated.

It is worth recalling that during a previous government meeting, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Narek Mkrtchyan mentioned that out of approximately 560,000 pensioners, 390,000 already receive their pensions via bank cards, while the rest receive them in cash.

“As for the 80,000 beneficiaries, only 1,000 receive their benefits through bank cards,” the minister highlighted.