Bank furthers ICTs use for service delivery
by Jonah Iboma
Nigeria’s quest towards cashless society has received a boost by the inauguration in Lagos, last week, of branded Automated Teller Machines by Zenith Bank Plc.
The 30 branded machines have helped swelled the number of ATMS in the country beyond the 700 that are existence in the country.
But the deployment itself was a further testimony to the increasing use of Information and Communications Technologies by Nigerian Banks and other players in the financial services industry to deploy service to customers.
Many banks today operate ATM machines, while debit and credits cards in use have grown in recent times, with banks now dispensing billions of naira without customers having to come to their premises for regular banking activities.
At the event, held at the Zenith Heights, the bank’s corporate head office, Managing Director and Chief Executive, Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia, said the decision to vigorously pursue ATM deployment, is to remain in the vanguard of using ATMs to drive a ‘near cashless society’ and ensure connectivity with the global payments system.
Speaking at the inauguration, Ovia also said that the bank would make efforts to ensure that at least 30 per cent of Nigerians use ATMs by 2011 and make the machines available nationwide 24/7 all year round.
He added that Zenith Bank would also ensure that ATM services are deployed closer to all Nigerians as quickly as the bank is bringing branches close to all.
The launching of the branded ATMs, the first of their type by any bank in the country, has further confirmed Zenith Bank’s position as a market leader in e-banking. At least more than 30 of the branded machines are to be deployed in the first phase with more scheduled for the coming months.
Zenith Bank has been at the forefront of promoting e-payments through uniquely designed products like the Eazycard, online bills payment and Internet banking. The bank is also a leading member of the electronic payment system, Interswitch.
In the development of ICTs in the country, Zenith Bank recently donated 550 computer units to boost computer training in the Federal Capital Territory, and is also partnering with the FCT in the sponsorship of the Youth Empowerment for Digital Revolution,’ the scheme under which the donations were made.
The Youth Empowerment Forum for Digital Revolution, an annual event, brings together young people drawn from select secondary schools to a seminar anchored by Ovia. The Forum was launched in 2003 at the University of Lagos with the donation of a fully equipped computer center with 20 workstations and a stand-by generator to the University of Lagos.
The Zenith Bank ATM allows customers to conduct most banking transactions without going into a banking hall while also enjoying the added benefit of being able to do transactions on weekends and public holidays.
In addition to being able to cash up to N60,000 a day, customers can also check their account balances, print mini account statements and arrange cash transfers all with the aid of the Zenith Bank debit card known as Eazycard.
Ovia has indeed over the years shown a deep understanding of the place of ICT not only in service delivery but in national development. The tech-savvy Ovia is renowned for his passion in matters relating to deploying ICT to make the society a better place. He firmly believes in the power of ICT to hold the future of mankind together. At present, he is the Chairman of the National Information Technology Advisory Committee. He is also Chairman, Nigeria Software Development Initiative and former president of Nigeria Internet Group.
Under his visionary leadership, Zenith Bank has emerged as the most highly regarded amongst its peers for its innovation, leadership in the use of technology, customer relationship management style and consistent superior financial performance.
Nigeria’s quest towards cashless society has received a boost by the inauguration in Lagos, last week, of branded Automated Teller Machines by Zenith Bank Plc.
The 30 branded machines have helped swelled the number of ATMS in the country beyond the 700 that are existence in the country.
But the deployment itself was a further testimony to the increasing use of Information and Communications Technologies by Nigerian Banks and other players in the financial services industry to deploy service to customers.
Many banks today operate ATM machines, while debit and credits cards in use have grown in recent times, with banks now dispensing billions of naira without customers having to come to their premises for regular banking activities.
At the event, held at the Zenith Heights, the bank’s corporate head office, Managing Director and Chief Executive, Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia, said the decision to vigorously pursue ATM deployment, is to remain in the vanguard of using ATMs to drive a ‘near cashless society’ and ensure connectivity with the global payments system.
Speaking at the inauguration, Ovia also said that the bank would make efforts to ensure that at least 30 per cent of Nigerians use ATMs by 2011 and make the machines available nationwide 24/7 all year round.
He added that Zenith Bank would also ensure that ATM services are deployed closer to all Nigerians as quickly as the bank is bringing branches close to all.
The launching of the branded ATMs, the first of their type by any bank in the country, has further confirmed Zenith Bank’s position as a market leader in e-banking. At least more than 30 of the branded machines are to be deployed in the first phase with more scheduled for the coming months.
Zenith Bank has been at the forefront of promoting e-payments through uniquely designed products like the Eazycard, online bills payment and Internet banking. The bank is also a leading member of the electronic payment system, Interswitch.
In the development of ICTs in the country, Zenith Bank recently donated 550 computer units to boost computer training in the Federal Capital Territory, and is also partnering with the FCT in the sponsorship of the Youth Empowerment for Digital Revolution,’ the scheme under which the donations were made.
The Youth Empowerment Forum for Digital Revolution, an annual event, brings together young people drawn from select secondary schools to a seminar anchored by Ovia. The Forum was launched in 2003 at the University of Lagos with the donation of a fully equipped computer center with 20 workstations and a stand-by generator to the University of Lagos.
The Zenith Bank ATM allows customers to conduct most banking transactions without going into a banking hall while also enjoying the added benefit of being able to do transactions on weekends and public holidays.
In addition to being able to cash up to N60,000 a day, customers can also check their account balances, print mini account statements and arrange cash transfers all with the aid of the Zenith Bank debit card known as Eazycard.
Ovia has indeed over the years shown a deep understanding of the place of ICT not only in service delivery but in national development. The tech-savvy Ovia is renowned for his passion in matters relating to deploying ICT to make the society a better place. He firmly believes in the power of ICT to hold the future of mankind together. At present, he is the Chairman of the National Information Technology Advisory Committee. He is also Chairman, Nigeria Software Development Initiative and former president of Nigeria Internet Group.
Under his visionary leadership, Zenith Bank has emerged as the most highly regarded amongst its peers for its innovation, leadership in the use of technology, customer relationship management style and consistent superior financial performance.
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