OREANDA-NEWS. November 23, 2010. The public has responded actively to the "Coins to Bank" campaign launched in October, bringing in 14 per cent of the kroon coins in circulation. Coins in widely ranging amounts have been brought in to SEB, the current record-holder is a customer in Voru County who brought in close to 4000 kroons' worth of kroon sents weighing over 25 kilograms. This Saturday, SEB branches are once again prepared to accept an even greater quantity of kroon coins - and the current record could be in jeopardy, reported the press-centre of SEB.

"We assume that people will be converting to banknotes or depositing about 500 tonnes of coins, the latest tally is that 67 tonnes of kroon coins have been brought to banks. People have become more active in returning coins with each passing week in October, but in order to provide service to everyone interested in the campaign, we have to hold special coin days at the bank branches. We're joining this good initiative and we're calling on everyone this Saturday to bring in their coins - homes will become more free of clutter and the kroon coins will end up in the right place," said SEB Retail Banking and Technology Division head Eerika Vaikmae-Koit.

The kroon coin drive is part of the preparations for the changeover to the euro. Starting on 1 October 2010, all individuals will be able to bring in their kroon coins to any bank branch that provides cash services, to either deposit the coins or convert them to banknotes for no additional charge. Customers of other banks can also bring in their coins to SEB for no service charge.

All branches that keep Saturday hours will accept coins - that's a total of 21 branches. For a list of SEB branches, visit www.seb.ee/kontorid

All SEB branches will also have Estonian Food Bank collection boxes. Kroon coins donated into these boxes will help food otherwise slated for disposal reach the needy. More information: www.toidupank.ee/mundikampaania/.