They were greeted by lavish food and drinks, along with cultural displays - from traditional dances to a modern chorus - illustrating the vivid journey between the bank's past and present and, of course, the future.

SCB's executives have not shied away from setting high goals to achieve another milestone in this centenary year.

Its ambition to move aggressively on to the turf of its peers is shaking the industry to its roots. The bank boasts 3,900 ATM machines and has been opening branches and sub-branches left, right and centre. It has established a strategic division to win over new small and medium-sized clients.

Of course, all of this fierce competition did not deter a friendly atmosphere at the centenary celebrations.

Top bankers turned out in force, including Chatri and Chartsiri Sophonpanich of Bangkok Bank and Banthoon Lamsam of Kasikornbank. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula was among at least three Cabinet members who turned up.

Highlighting the busy evening was a performance by Thailand's top singer Thongchai "Bird" McIntyre. His presence reasserted SCB's ambitions.

Guests left with a lasting memory: a commemoration book entitled "From Book to Bank: 100 Years of Siam Commercial Bank", written by former Bank of Thailand official Nopporn Reungsakul.

But with competition heating up, people will be thinking about the bank's 101st year.

Busdsk@nationgroup.com