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Conrad Mwanawashe in Gweru
MBCA Bank has earmarked funding for a “substantial investment” to continue expanding its service delivery channels as it sees a positive outlook on the future of Zimbabwe. The bank officially opened its latest branch in Gweru on Wednesday, as part of a wider strategy to grow its presence in Zimbabwe. The bank said that it will open branch in Borrowdale, Harare, before the end of this year.The Gweru branch brings to 10 the total number of its branches countrywide and is one of the two MBCA branches carrying the “Nedbank branch of future” concept.
The concept stems from the bank’s client-centred approach to deliver distinctive experience across channels.
MBCA said the concept comes with state of the art digital platforms designed to complement the physical branch network.
Officially opening the Gweru branch yesterday, MBCA managing director Dr Charity Jinya said: “As MBCA, we have a positive outlook on the future of this country and we plan to continue expanding our service delivery channels so that our clients can conveniently reach us,” said Dr Jinya.
“The delivery channels will include increasing the number of branches as demonstrated by the opening of this Gweru branch as well as enhancing our digital platforms such as mobile banking,” the MBCA managing director said.
Through MBCA mobile banking clients can pay utility bills, transfer funds, purchase airtime and check account balances which MBCA said compliments Government’ effort towards financial inclusion to curb the recent cash shortages.
To further grow its presence the number of ATMs will be increased while plans are underway to deploy point of sale machines in shops. The deployment of point of sale machines will be followed by the launch of VISA/Mastercard.
Dr Jinya said all the card products would be launched in phases, but should be running by the end of the year.
The financial institutions said plans to increase presence in areas such as Gweru, Zvishavane, Kwekwe and Harare is informed by economic pools or activities in those areas.
“We were a bank which had only four branches and we expanded by following the economic pools in this country. We went to Zvishavane because there is mining.
“We are following the (economic) activities and where there is potential, we want to be there. People may say mines are closing down, but for us it is for that reason that we went into Kwekwe and Gweru. People may also say that industry is closing down, but we want a presence because we believe it will be resuscitated in the future. We were already in Southerton and we opened in Msasa industrial area (both in Harare),” said the MBCA boss.
Furthermore, the bank is working on a proposition for women.
Online Reporter