There was a time when Barclays Banke kenya saw the average Kenyan consumer as oo poor and not able to bank. Thats why the bank cut links with many rural consumers or those in small towns and tried to do the big spender banking. The mentality is changing since otehrs have tested the poor banking waters and the result is that banks like Equity have made a name and money from the poor by having products suited to the consumer.
Barclays Bank has seen it fit that it is going to up the ante in the consumer battle and now is offering us free Internet Banking, Free ATM services and even free mobile banking services. Free always comes with a hidden cost which we are still trying to understand here. The truth is that the latest move by Barclays Bank is really enticing.
The free mobile banking service by Barclays is called Hello Money. Hello Money enables customers to perform banking transactions in real time over their mobile phones. Barclays says that the client is guaranteed security, accessibility and convenience while using the Hello Money service. The Bank has recently upgraded their credit card system and transitioning the core banking system to a new, state-of-the-art platform and partnered with Safaricom to offer M-PESA services.
Barclays Customers now carry their bank in their mobile, accessing banking services anytime/anywhere on the move. Unlike other players in the sector this is all for free. The bank has also announced that it has waived all levies charged for use of ATM services – Barclays customers can now carryout transactions in any of the 236 automated teller machine (ATMs) services spread across all corners of the country without paying a single cent for cash withdraw and balance enquiry.
The introduction of the free channels was underpinned by Barclays Kenya’s objective to align products and services with evolving customer needs and lifestyles.“This new offers are in line with our strategy to enhance customer service, support Branch expansion and improve management of customer complaints and resolution,” said Mr Adan Mohamed, Barclays Managing Director East and West Africa when he made the announcement.
The ATMs compliments the established and extensive network of over 117 Barclays Kenya outlets that have almost doubled from 62, of five years ago.
Mr Mohamed added: “Barclays Kenya is increasingly shifting our growth strategy from increasing the number of branches to use technology as we strive to improve the bottom line. After increased our branch networks to optimal levels the next phase for us is to tap technology to drive the next phase of growth and to offer our customers more convenient channels. Our new free channel services- ATMs, Internet and hello Money is a significant step for Barclays – one that reinforces our commitment to making our customers lives much easier.”What do you think of the new move by Barclays?
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