By Peter OBIORA InvestAdvocate
Lagos (INVESTADVOCATE)-Pan African lender Nigerian unit, Ecobank Nigeria on Thursday said the decision of the Bank to introduce agency banking in the country is part of the bank’s distribution strategy to take banking service to the door-step of the customers.
Ayotunde Kuponiyi, head, Cards and e-Banking, Ecobank Nigeria said in an emailed statement that Ecobank agency banking service the first of its kind to debut in the country is also targeted at offering affordable access to financial services, “it would simplify and engender flexibility in banking operations,” he added.
According to Kuponiyi, 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-up to the general public.
“This is part of the bank’s distribution strategy to take banking service to the door-step of the customer. We are 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 maintained that every hand is on the deck to make it a success, urging members of the public to patronise the accredited agents.
As earlier Ecobank Nigeria commenced agency banking services recently, enabling its appointed agent partners carry out banking services on its behalf, so as to offer basic banking services to the underbanked by providing extended hours for available banking services in the customers’ neighborhood.
The listed agent partners already offering this service 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.
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 top up amongst other services.
Shares of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated at the close of the day’s trading on the Nigerian bourse grew 5.00 percent to N15.75 per share from N15.00 per share traded the previous session; gaining 0.75 kobo per share.
