UBA introduces new product
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Ghana has launched its UBA Africard, a visa-enabled re-loadable card for its customers, to enhance its service delivery.
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The card, according to the Managing Director of the bank, Mr Oliver Alawuba, is a better alternative to a bank account as it is not tied to any bank account but can be used on over 1.9 million ATMs and at 30 million Point of Sales (POS) terminals in over 179 countries across the world.
At the launch in Accra, he said Africard was in furtherance of their commitment to bring world-class, customer-driven banking services to the doorsteps of as many Ghanaians as possible.
Africard uses a PIN and Chip and it is far more secure than most cards.
He explained that the card would offer convenience to clients as there was no need to visit banking halls to collect cash and added that “it allows you to travel without carrying large sums of cash or foreign currency as the card can be used worldwide.”
The card also offers maximum security as it enables users to make secure payments via the Internet with Verified By Visa (VBV) and the value on the cardholder’s account remains intact when the card is misplaced or stolen.
He said the launch of the product provided them with a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between the banked and the under-banked with the right channel strategy that would give customers greater flexibility in accessing basic banking services.
Mr Alawuba, however, revealed that it was common knowledge that Ghana, in particular, and Africa as a whole remained largely cash-based societies in spite of the introduction of new payment modes such as debit cards and ATMs.
“However, with the introduction of Africard and its many advantages, we do not have any more excuses but to enjoy the convenience and security of card usage,” he said.
He added that UBA Ghana was offering Ghanaians the opportunity to seamlessly transfer funds either for business or personal needs.
The addition of Africard to the bank’s array of products, he explained, was yet another manifestation of the bank’s responsiveness to the need of its customers.
The service is initially available in all 25 branches of UBA nationwide, while plans are far advanced to enter into agency agreements with credible organisations to bring Africard services even closer to the doorsteps of their clients.
Story: Jessica Acheampong
