Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA) has launched an exclusive premier banking suites that targets wealthy citizens.

The move, which is a bid to gain grounds in the Kenyan premium banking market, targets salaried individuals with a net income of Sh300,000 ($3,400) and those running current accounts with a minimum balance of Sh1 million ($11,000).  It will provide customers will longer banking hours as well as multi-currency credit cards, Business Daily reported.

Customers will also enjoy discounts at selected retail outlets, while having access to executive airport lounges around the world.

Kenyan banks have been introducing similar packages into their service portfolios as they try to tie up top-earning individuals who provide higher deposits and offer high-end transactions, and CBA – the largest privately owned commercial bank in Kenya, according to its website – is keen to join the train.

“We target individuals who hold key positions in reputable companies such as CEOs, financial controllers, country directors and persons who enjoy VIP status such as diplomats,” said CBA’s Group Managing Director, Isaac Awuondo.

Analysts believe Africa’s bright growth prospects and the steady increase in the numbers of high net worth individuals in the continent are acting as a magnet to private bankers.

According to South Africa’s job market news service, efinancial careers, several Western banks are beefing up their teams to exploit these new pools of wealth, recruiting people both in their headquarters and from the domestic pool to deepen coverage and client service.

For example, London-based Barclays Wealth, in 2011, added six private bankers to its Africa team.

In a similar trend, the wealth management arms of Standard Chartered and HSBC, as well as JP Morgan, have all beefed up their emerging market teams with a special focus on Africa.