Access Bank to launch whatsApp Banking in Zambia

Access Bank Zambia, a member of Access Bank group Plc plans to launch whatsApp banking on the Zambian market. This follow successful launches and uptake in Nigeria. WhatsApp Banking is a social media platform designed to allow existing and potential customers make use of financial services that a bank offers such as funds transfers, airtime purchase, bill payments , balance enquiry, account opening and so much more.

Access Bank quest for the whats app banking offering is to deepen its commitment towards providing easy banking experience to customers by leveraging the pervasive WhatsApp social media platform to bring its Banking Relationship Managers closer to its customers.

Once launched in Zambia, Access bank customers will be able to use the Bank’s market leading and feature rich Mobile App, Access Mobile, available on IOS and Android platforms, to effortlessly engage their Relationship Manager in the provision of customised and responsive banking services, using the WhatsApp messaging platform.

In an exclusive interview with Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Shelly Akyeh who is Access Bank Zambia’s Head of Cooperate Communication said that the WhatsApp Banking Application in Zambia is still on the table and is being discussed but has not been finalized despite having this service in the Nigeria operations.

Akyeh said that launch in Zambia is on the cards but that approvals need to be obtained by the Banks regulators before its finally launched. She said that Access Bank will provide a number which will be available on WhatsApp and this Application will work just the same way the current WhatsApp works.

Access Bank customers can get in touch with the bank and it is going to work as a normal platform were one will be able to contact the bank by using WhatsApp. Akyeh further told ZBT that there are quite a number of electronic platforms that are in the pipeline.

The bank recently launched mobile banking. “We had just launched the USSD Mobile Banking last month and any one can dial *801# to access the service. It’s a full package that allows one even if you are not a customer, you can be able to open an account, transfer, buy talktime and other payments.

Access bank is also working on an e-wallet platform which will allow customers to open and conduct mobile Money transactions. she
further said that the Bank is currently doing very well in Zambia, much more when you look at the Bank recently published its 2nd Quarter financials which show a better performance.

She said the bank is on the right path and it’s hoping for the best before the end of the year as it had recently launched a new five year strategy that started this year and believes there is more to come in the electronic banking space. She further encouraged Access Bank customers and the public to watch out for the Bank for there is much more to come.

Access Bank is a full service commercial Bank operating through a network of about 305 branches and service outlets located in major centres across Nigeria, Sub Saharan Africa including Zambia and the United Kingdom. The Bank serves its various markets through (4) four business segments; Personal, Business, Commercial and Corporate & Investment banking.

SOURCE:ZAMBIABUSINESSTIMES