As part of its efforts to improve service delivery and meet customer needs one of the oldest banks in the country, Barclays Bank last week launched its Cardless Cash Deposit ATM (Automated Teller Machine) technology in Francistown. The new cash deposit technology will ensure that Barclays and non- Barclays customers can deposit cash into a Barclays ATM machines at any time of the day.
Speaking during the launch at Galo Mall the Head of Marketing and Corporate Relations at Barclays Bank, Duduetsang Molloy said their mission is to make banking a smaller part of their customer’s day and ensure that customers are afforded time to do other things that matter to them.
“In December 2014 we launched the ATM cash deposit service to our customers in 75 ATM’s across the country. However our very engaged customers gave us feedback on the limited service saying that they would appreciate a cardless cash deposit solution at the ATM,” she said.
Molloy explained that the new ATM cardless cash deposit technology allows customers to deposit cash at any time of the day with ease. She said the transaction is time efficient and reflects in the customer’s account immediately at a cost of P0.45 per a P100.00. She said that they started the technology in Francistown region and have already enabled nine ATMs in the country’s second largest city.
“This will be followed by Selibe Phikwe, Gaborone and Molepolole. The rollout to other places will continue for the next six to eight weeks and by the end of this journey we would have activated the service in our 75 intelligent ATMs,” she said.
Molloy added that from a customer point of view, they envision that this service will help them with reducing queues in the branches and help them attend to other duties they have.
On a different note she said that despite an announcement which was awash in the media by Barclays Bank that they intend to sell their operations in the next three years, the bank continues to be open for business. She explained that their commitment remains the same as demonstrated by the investments they are ploughing into the community and improving Customer Service through improved systems and digital technologies.
“As you may be aware we were the first bank to launch the Automated Teller Machine in Botswana in 1990 then nicknamed the bank in a hole,” she said.
Molloy said that over the years the ATM technology has evolved from being a mere cash dispensing machine to a machine with an array of functionalities. She said the ATM is becoming a fully functional bank on its own. She said Barclays Bank has taken heed of the needs of customers and is constantly finding ways to upgrade their ATM’s to ensure they service their clients as much as possible.
“I would like to remind you that our digital journey started in 2009 with mobile banking, paying of bills, buying electricity, paying Gaborone City Council rates, interbank transfers, sending money through cash send and buying airtime amongst others,” she said.
In addition, Molloy said this was followed by internet banking with additional features such as instant DSTV Connection and international money transfers where one can pay school fees or suppliers across the borders.
