WINDHOEK - The 22 September is commemorated as International Business Women’s Day. Desery van Wyk, Head Digital Products at FNB Namibia, said that International Business Women’s Day recognises that all women are seeking and deserve equal business opportunities and “we, at FNB Namibia feel the same”. 

 We know that most adults worldwide have bank accounts. Much of that growth was driven by an increase in account ownership in developing countries due to the spread of mobile banking, which has seen huge increases in adoption. In some sub-Saharan African countries, more adults have mobile bank accounts than traditional ones. While this is good news, only 58 percent of women worldwide had bank accounts compared to 65 percent of men according to research done by the World Bank. 

“Why digital banking?” asks Van Wyk. Digital banking can make it easier for women to make or receive payments. This is important as women are much more likely to work in the informal economy and receive payments in cash. Women are also more likely to invest their money in their family’s wellbeing. All these factors increase financial stability, which empowers women and leads to better health, education and economic outcomes for communities down the road.

Using the FNB App is now even easier for women operating in the informal sector with the FNB App zero rated. “This means, that customers will not need data or credit to do their banking on their phone via the FNB App. All our customers can now download the App for free in our participating branches with free WIFI and use it from then onwards, anywhere, anytime,” adds Van Wyk. 

“Digital banking is definitely the solution for women because it allows for financial inclusivity across the board. Not only is banking online, with our FNB App or via cellphone banking cheaper, but it also makes our lives as women much easier and more convenient. The FNB App is safe and secure, you can make use of Fingerprint ID to login and get Smart In-Contact to approve all Online Banking transactions. This means banking on the go and it is available anytime and anywhere – and it is convenient and cost effective. You can track your money (view balances, statements and transaction history), do once-off beneficiary payments, transfer eWallets to your transaction account and transfer money seamlessly between savings, investments and transactional accounts. 

There are little to no transaction costs, since you can save on taxi/fuel costs and extra branch charges and avoid waiting in lines.” 

While enjoying a night out, you can make use of the Geo Pay functionality and split the bill to make payments easy and convenient.  When your teenagers hassle you for airtime, simply buy prepaid airtime on your phone, even while running your errands. Working late, and forgot to buy some electricity on your way home? No problem, you can even buy electricity on your App.  

We know that it’s not safe out there, and things happen. But if you lose your card or it gets stolen, with the FNB App you can manage your bank cards and even block or cancel cards immediately. 
Our Smart inContact notifications let you know of all transactions on your account and this is particularly helpful when someone has stolen or cloned your card without you knowing. 

We love to spoil ourselves with a beautiful pair of shoes or get our nails done. FNB can help with that too. Download and start transacting on the App and you immediately qualify for FNB Rewards where we will give you cash back for using the App regularly. “Isn’t it time to sign up for digital banking and the FNB App? Contact your FNB branch or personal banker today.”