Page 36 - The Cormorant Issue 24 Crest Publications

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ADVERTORIAL FEATURE
Wherever you serve, we serve
HOLTS MILITARY BANKING IS the only UK bank entirely dedicated to serving the Armed Forces, their Families and Veterans, offering customised banking and financial solutions to meet their specific needs and requirements.
Holt’s Military Banking has the ability to do things differently to serve our military customers: Wherever You Serve, We Serve.
As part of the NatWest Group we offer all the normal products that customers expect: current packaged accounts, savings accounts and ISAs, and online investments to personal loans, overdrafts, credit cards, and mortgages - as well as personal, home, car and pet insurance.
However, the Holt’s Brand also offers products that are bespoke to the Armed Forces:
• The Armed Forces Terminal
Grant Lending Scheme allows us to lend up to 50 per cent of lump sums early with full access to this amount, with the scheme reviewed every three years until you leave the Armed Forces. When you receive the lump sum, we simply transfer the amount to pay the scheme off.
• Military Customers’ Base Rate Related Loans Scheme with interest rates which may be less than those of personal loan and provides you with flexibility to overpay or pay off without incurring a charge or early settlement fee. This provides more flexibility than a personal loan, but
with the element of risk being linked to base rate, which could save you money.
• Personal Loan Rate
Appeal Scheme bases
a decision on you as
an individual. If the system produces an interest rate on application that seems inflated, Holt’s, have the ability to appeal this to get you the best possible rate for your needs.
• Full digital online and mobile banking access your funds without having to go into a branch. You
can use this anywhere and, on
any device, providing you know your security details. Plus, we now have the ability to conduct video banking calls (Facetime for Holts) which allows us to speak securely with you wherever you are.
All our Holt’s Relationship Managed Customers now have access to all Premier Products that can make their money work better for them.
The Holt’s Premier Black Packaged Account is one such example that helps you save money, whilst providing benefits such as mobile phone insurance, travel insurance for the family, breakdown cover, no foreign transaction charges, access to travel lounges and a global concierge service.
In summary, we are a specialist military banking operation with a very special customer base which we know, understand and serve “wherever you serve”.
Perspective from Uganda Maj Chris Oballa Magezi
JOINING ACSC 24 WAS a most fulfilling experience for me at a personal and professional level in my two-decade military career. Having attained all my initial military training and education in Uganda, as well
as operational experience in the country and the wider Great Lakes region and Horn of Africa (Somalia), I was more than keen for a fresh and diversified perspective. The idea that this would be at a highly competitive military college in the UK and one of the best in the world for that matter made it even more appealing.
Previously, I had accomplished entry level military training (basic military
and officer cadet course) and mid-level command and staff education (company commander’s and Junior Command and Staff Course). Hence, I looked forward to joining ACSC with anticipation, especially with its aim of ‘developing
the intellectual edge for success on operations and in leadership.’
In spite of the unique complications
at a personal and broader social level wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been impressed by the ability of ACSC to adapt to the circumstances to deliver a course package comparable to others past, with two terms conducted remotely. This is no mean achievement
and is a good illustration for a hybrid- delivery model for future courses. The scope and depth of my knowledge
on pressing global security and
military issues has been widened and deepened, and so has my analytical and critical thinking.
Similarly, my learning benefited immensely from the passion and intellect of my syndicate mates, though I sometimes struggled to cope with their accent, fast speech, and the dizzying number of acronyms that I could barely decipher. Nevertheless, we were all eager to listen to our unique experiences and I believe my overall learning was as much about their company as it was about the rest of the course.
I thank my DSs Cdr Hannah MacKenzie and Lt Col Mick Mudie, and DSDs Dr Catherine Scott, Prof Matt Uttley, Dr Jonathan Fennell, and Dr Alex Wilson for the mentorship and guidance.
They were truly outstanding in their facilitation roles. I will always carry with me fond memories of my stay at the Defence Academy, which I consider one of the most definitive in my PME and military career.