Windhoek
Namibia’s first virtual bank, EBank, is planning to issue its first master debit cards.
The roll out of the debit card follows the opening of the bank’s first service centre shop in Windhoek’s Wernhill shopping centre. It was opened to meet clients’ desire for more points of face-to-face contact, where clients can ask questions, get assistance in opening accounts, as well as information on how to use the bank’s free electronic channels.
“We are witnessing continuous month-on-month growth across our various transactions and services, including sending money – to any MTC cell phone in Namibia, deposit and withdrawal of cash, and payment for goods and services at partner retailers across Namibia,” says the bank’s CEO, Mike Mukete.
Since the launch of the bank last year, “More and more clients are using their EBank accounts for airtime and electricity purchases. The usage of the Electronic Funds Transfer services are also on the increase, as clients use it to either receive their salaries or make and receive payments to or from any other bank account in Namibia,” he said.
In November 2014 alone, over 12,000 clients opened an EBank Solution, which includes a transaction account and a free 32-day notice savings account.
In addition to its retail partners network, EBank has introduced a telephonic Client Service, available Mondays to Fridays and on Saturday mornings. “While this service successfully deals with several hundred queries per day, we understand from our client base that, in addition to face-to-face contact at EZones at retail outlets across the country, there is still a need to increase points of personal contact,” Mukete said.
The service centre model would be replicated in major towns throughout the country to build on the brand and establish a service presence, the bank said.