By InvestAdvocate
Lagos (INVESTADVOCATE)-Lender Ecobank Nigeria said on Thursday it has commenced agency banking services, enabling its appointed agent partners carry out banking services on its behalf.
“Agency banking services is designed to increases the bank’s retail distribution network allowing it provide basic banking services to its customers as well as offer payment services such as bank transfers, bill payments and airtime top to the general public,” Ecobank Nigeria said in a statement.
According to the lender, the agency banking service is also intended to offer basic banking services to the underbanked and while providing extended hours for available banking services in the customers’ neighborhood.
Ayotunde Kuponiyi, head, Cards and e-Banking of Ecobank Nigeria while announcing the commencement of the scheme said it is part of the bank’s distribution strategy to take banking service to the door-step of the customer. “This is extending our banking services to consumers’ neighborhood to offer even greater convenience and accessible financial services in a cost effective and secure manner” he said.
He listed agents partners already offering this services in Lagos as Buymore Supermarket chain (in Agungi-Lekki, Kilo Surulere, Ikeja GRA), Kenzo Retail Supermarket chain (in Lekki, Festac and Apapa) and Save-a-Lot Supermarket in Egbeda. He maintained that more locations are coming up in Lagos and other major cities and towns across the country.
The Banks says banking services provided by the agents banking locations include opening Ecobank Quick Account, cash withdrawal and deposit into Ecobank accounts; funds transfers into any bank account in Nigeria, bills payment (utilities, cable subscription, etc), mobile phone airtime topup amongst other services.
Ecobank Agency Banking service which is the first of its kind to debut in Nigeria is aimed at offering affordable access to financial services to promote and deepen financial inclusion in the Nigeria economy.
Shares of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) at the close of trading on the Nigerian bourse increased five (5) percent to N16.80 per share from N16.00 traded the previous session.
