Windhoek
EBank Namibia officially launched its EBank Easy and EBank Smart debit card offerings to the public yesterday. These debit cards, issued by EBank Namibia under a principal licence awarded by MasterCard, give clients access to millions of retailers and automated teller machines (ATMs) that accept MasterCard payment cards nationally and internationally in over 210 countries.
“The introduction of debit cards is an essential part of our network expansion strategy and a critical step in making our services and offerings ubiquitous and accessible to all,” said Mike Mukete, chief executive officer of EBank Namibia.
“EBank clients now have the choice of using their cellphone to transact at the till points of any of our growing number of retail partners or, alternatively, use their MasterCard debit cards at ATMs or any point of sale device nationwide,” said Mukete.
EBank now offers clients a choice of two MasterCard debit cards, namely the EBank Easy debit card and the EBank Smart debit card. “We want to offer clients the ability to choose the functionality they require from their debit cards and thus the costs associated with their card of choice,” explained Gerald Riedel, chief operating officer of EBank Namibia.
The EBank Smart debit card can be used internationally for card transactions and can also be used for online purchases. This card is ideal for use when renting a vehicle or booking hotel accommodation as it allows for reservation of funds against an account. The Easy debit card is restricted to card transactions within Namibia and cannot be used for online payments or for transactions that require reservation of funds.
An EBank Smart account holder can however link up to two cards to their account, which can either be Easy or Smart debit cards or one of each. An EBank Easy account holder, however, can only link one EBank Easy debit card to his or her account.
The EBank MasterCard debit cards offer a unique ATM transaction pricing structure that does not determine fees based on the ATM used. “Both EBank debit cards can be used to withdraw cash from any ATM in Namibia with the cost per transaction varying from N$8 (for a withdrawal amount between N$10 and N$500) to N$20 (for a withdrawal amount between N$1 500 and N$2 000). This is considerably less than what some banks charge their own clients …The pricing for ATM withdrawals is affordable, transparent and exactly the same, regardless of the brand of ATM used in Namibia,” explained Riedel.
Once linked and activated, EBank Smart debit card holders are not charged for point of sale card purchases within Namibia, while EBank Easy debit card holders will pay N$3.50 per card transaction at any retailer nation-wide.
Charlton Goredema, vice-president and area business head for Southern Africa and Indian Ocean islands, MasterCard, stated: “As EBank enables its customers to benefit from MasterCard’s global payments network, we are assisting Namibia to integrate its economy with those elsewhere in the world. Importantly, we are also contributing to the financial freedom of individuals.”