First Bank of Nigeria has joined banks like Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTB), and United Bank for Africa (UBA), in the launching of WhatsApp chat banking services.
Explaining the benefits of the new device, the bank’s Group Head, E-Business, Mr. Chuma Ezirim, in a statement noted the application would enable customers to leverage the real-time messaging capabilities of the WhatsApp Business Solution to check their account balance.
He said the application was launched on August 1, 2018, and that customers would also leverage on the solution to perform simple banking queries.
Adding that the application was at its pilot phase and would be available to a select group of customers after which it would be made available to all customers.
While additional details on the solution would be provided soon.
He stated: “Customers expectations are constantly changing and it is our duty as a customer-focused bank to ensure that our customers are provided with the means to carry out banking services through any channel they desire.
“We are constantly seeking new ways and opportunities to meet customers at their preferred touch points and we understand our customers are actively engaged on WhatsApp.
“With First Bank chat banking on WhatsApp, it is not just about staying connected with friends and loved ones, but also keeping in touch with your bank anytime and anywhere you are,” Ezirim said.
Meanwhile, UBA on Wednesday announced that its chat banker, Leo has launched its pilot mode on WhatsApp and will be fully available to customers by September 1, 2018.
the Group Managing Director, UBA, Kennedy Uzoka said with Leo now on WhatsApp, customers who are lovers of the app would be able to open new accounts, check their balances on the go and carry out basic banking services.
Stating: “Our customers are at the heart of our business and we as a bank, are never relenting in matching our words with equal action. In today’s fast-paced world with demands for quick responses, our aim is to make banking seamless and effortless for our millions of existing and potential customers.”
While the Group Head of UBA’s Online Banking, Mr. Austine Abolusoro stated: “UBA is a technology-driven institution with vast knowledge in the business that we do and Leo, being a tested dependable and intelligent personality, will replicate on WhatsApp, the success it has experienced on the Facebook Messenger platform.
“It is a solution that is from the customer’s standpoint, easy to use by anyone regardless of your demography.’ ‘Leo is ready and waiting to help with any form of banking services’
“WhatsApp has been in existence for over 9 years, reaching more than 1.5 billion people in over 180 countries. The premium private chat platform has assured that there will be no spam messages as the development is to enable businesses to serve their customers with useful and helpful information”.
GTB also in a statement announced that it will be leveraging the WhatsApp Business Solution to offer Nigerians an additional channel to connect with the bank for inquiries, service requests, and access to other basic banking services.
Noting the “Bank would be leveraging the platform to bring financial services closer to customers, and at the same time offer them more channels to a bank, make enquiries and have their service requests treated promptly.
“The WhatsApp service is expected to enable customers to chat with GTBank on their mobile phones and request for basic banking services using the advised prompts.
“All service requests will be treated instantly, depending on the internet connection of the user.
On his part, the Officer and Managing Director/CEO of GTBank Plc, Segun Agbaje explained:“At GTBank, we are passionate about driving constant interaction with our customers to learn more about how we can serve them better as well as to provide them with the financial solutions that can add real value to their lives.
By leveraging the WhatsApp Business Solution, we are continuing to expand our service channels as part of our commitment to making banking, cheaper, faster and readily accessible to customers wherever and whenever they choose to bank.”