Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. NEDBANK Zimbabwe yesterday opened a new branch at Greenfields shopping centre in Harare as part of its strategy to expand access to banking services and accelerate digital transformation.
Speaking at the official opening, Nedbank executive head of sales and business origination, Heresy Herry, said the new outlet was designed to integrate traditional banking with digital platforms to meet the changing demands of customers.
“We need to get more of our people using banking services and we felt that by increasing the number of touch points, the number of points of presence will then be playing that role,” he said.
“The main thrust with this branch is, it is mostly going to be primed towards digital services where we are going to be looking at providing mobile access to our services either through the USSD platform or our mobile app.”
In an interview with NewsDay, Herry said the branch featured a dual purpose ATM that allowed for both cash withdrawal and deposits, reducing the need for customers to visit the branch in person.
“This move aligns with the bank’s strategy to promote sustainability and cost containment while enhancing customer convenience,” he said.
The bank has noted a significant trend of customers transacting in areas outside the central business district.
“We are simply responding to a clarion call by customers,” Herry said.
“We tend to do analytics where we have got a view of where our customers are transacting.
“At the Greenfields complex, you would actually find that there is a lot of traffic, so this is where our customers are transacting.”
In light of the country’s exploration of de-dollarisation efforts, Herry emphasised that the bank’s focus on increasing accessibility to banking services will not change.
“I think for us, it’s really neither here nor there. The bottom line will still be need for banking services, notwithstanding the currency,” he said.
“The bank is committed to providing optionality for its customers, ensuring that they can access banking services regardless of the currency in use.
“There will still be need for cash, be it the Zimbabwe dollar (ZiG) or the United States dollar.”
Meanwhile, the bank has commissioned an ATM at Fife Avenue shopping centre in Harare to further improve accessibility.
The bank has 10 branches across the country, including the newly-commissioned Greenfields branch.
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