06 Feb 2020

Barclays Bank Botswana has announced launch of a new banking technology ahead of its official brand launch slated for February 10 and 11.

Addressing the media on February 5, the bank’s managing director, Ms Keabetswe Pheko-Moshagane announced the rollout of vertical debit and credit card, which she said was first on the market.

Ms Pheko-Moshagane said the card had special features such as a tap and go functionality that would reduce fraudulent activities, while also adding affluent value to customers.

“Currently this card will be available to platinum and gold card holders and will be rolled out to customers in a phased approach,” she said.

She noted that the tap and go functionality service was only at infancy stage and was not available in any of the retail outlets across the country, but would be used at a later stage, subject to regulatory approval.

Furthermore, Ms Pheko-Moshagane also noted that they would be offering replacements of older debit and credit cards to their customers free of charge until 2021, to enable better take-up by all bank customers throughout its transition from Barclays into the Absa Group of Companies.

“We are no longer going to just provide service for a fee, but we’re also going to bring value for our customers,” she added.

Meanwhile, Ms Pheko-Moshagane noted that the transition into the Absa identity had been going smoothly, since they had already rebranded 108 out of 118 automated teller machines, including branding of other branches.

She further stated that the brand value of the bank had remained strong through the transition, while buy-in of customers also remained strong.

Barclays Group of Companies started its transition into Pan African Group of Companies three years ago, with a mandate to present the group as a standalone African group. ENDS