NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 10 – Absa Bank Kenya PLC has introduced WhatsApp banking, allowing its customers to access their bank accounts and transact through the app.
According to the bank, the new innovation will allow the bank’s customers do a myriad of things among them account-to-Mpesa/Airtel Money transfers, inter-account transfers, bill payments, balance enquiry, among others, on WhatsApp.
Speaking during the official launch of this service, Absa Bank Kenya Managing Director Jeremy Awori said the move is part of the bank’s commitment to continue investing in digitally led innovative solutions.
It is also part of its committment to invest at least Sh1.6 billion this year towards digitization, automation and innovation.
“This is a really exciting moment for us at Absa not just because this solution is first-in-market, but more so because it will significantly transform the way our customers interact with us. Essentially, we are transforming banking from being a series of complex transactions into a simple conversation on WhatsApp. We have shaped a rich history as a bank of many firsts and today we are excited to continue on this streak of innovation,” said Awori.
According to the Global Web Index’s 2020 Social Media User Trends Report, Kenya has the highest percentage of monthly WhatsApp users compared to the rest of the world, with about 97% of all internet users in the country active on WhatsApp. The bank said this presents a unique opportunity for Absa to accelerate digital adoption of its wide array of services.
The bank said the launch of WhatsApp banking by Absa ushers the sector into the new age of banking which integrates transactional, conversational and personalized banking services in a seamless, fast and reliable way. This proposition transitions chat bots from being just a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) service to a holistic banking interface that is intuitive.
The digital platform will gauge and anticipate customers’ needs and requests based on its Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and analytics capabilities and consequently offer multiple solutions through core systems and delivery platforms within the bank.
“With this solution, each of our customers gets access to a 24/7 digital personal banker who can help them perform transactions upon receiving simple instructions on chat. So, the same way one would call their Relationship Manager or go to the branch to initiate a transaction, now you will just need to issue instructions by chatting on WhatsApp,” Awori said.
To make it even more personal, the bank has given this functionality a human personality as a dedicated, always-on banking assistant, named Abby.