Stanchart targets SMEs with footprint expansion

Barati Mathambo
Correspondent | Tuesday January 8, 2013 00:00

 

Located at Nzano Centre, the branch was launched barely six months after the opening of another outlet at Airport Junction in Gaborone.   Speaking at the opening of the branch, general manager - Integrated Shared Distribution at SCBB Shathiso Choto said they are excited about increasing their retail footprint as well as the opportunity to serve their customers and the community even better.

'It really is the perfect location for us given the vibrant neighbourhood, the high number of people who live or work a short distance from the branch and the mix of small and medium-sized businesses in the immediate area,' she said. Choto said the new branch is the bank's 15th fully-fledged branch and 19th outlet.

'We are pleased to announce that SME banking will be offered at this new branch.  We will have dedicated relationship managers on the ground to serve the needs of a specific client base. Straight2Bank remains the best business online banking solution in the market for SMEs,' said Choto. She said that offering the full range of products and services, the bank is able to reach a broad spectrum of the population and contribute to and facilitate economic growth. 

'The branch adheres to the highest branding standards and offers advanced banking solutions. We remain resolute and committed to providing seamless service to our esteemed customers,' she said. The bank's head of consumer banking for Botswana and Southern Africa, Duncan Woods said the opening of the new branch comes at a time when they have embarked on a strategy to bring greater convenience to their customers.

'All our branches across the country now offer extended banking hours to close an hour later giving our customers more time to do their banking. This means that our branches close at 1630pm from Mondays to Fridays,' said Woods.

Furthermore, he said that the branch offers Personal, Excel, Priority and SME banking services in addition to the quick account opening, whereby a customer gets a cheque book and debit card within 30 minutes of opening an account. 'The branch also offers a three-day turnaround time for personal loans, internet banking to all customers free of charge and modernised touch screen 24 hour ATMs through which a broad range of transactions can be undertaken, including withdrawals, bill payments and balance enquiries,' he said.

He concluded by saying that customers can walk into Nzano Centre branch and do Internet banking any time of the day. As for Priority clients, the branch also offers dedicated relationship managers an exclusive banking suite with private meeting rooms for personalised service.