FNB opens relocated Mondesa branchThe Erongo Region became one bank branch richer this week, while FNB Namibia says more is coming. Digital branch coming soon, says Van Zyl The Erongo Region became one bank branch richer this week, while FNB Namibia says more is coming. FNB Namibia this week opened its latest branch in Swakopmund’s Mondesa location.At an event attended by Erongo Regional Governor Kleophas Mutjavikua, the bank stressed the need for an additional branch at the coastal town, considering the rapid pace of change in the banking industry.
“We asked, ‘how can we help you,’ and our customers answered,” FNB Erongo regional manager Tienie Mouton told the gathering, which also included FNB Namibia CEO Sarel van Zyl.
“The new FNB branch will no doubt beautify and enhance the image of Swakopmund and in particular Mondesa, and I trust that our residents will receive fast, efficient and effective customer service from our staff,” Mouton said.
Van Zyl for his part thanked the bank’s customers for its loyal support, revealing that the company would soon open its first “staffless” branch at Swakopmund, where all services, including deposits, withdrawals and transfers, will be completely self-serviced.
“In order to reduce the cost of banking, we are introducing more and more digital banking solutions, and if we consider the take-up of those solutions, we are pleased to report that the Namibian market at large is ready for this transformation in banking,” Van Zyl said.
Mutjavikua thanked the bank for bringing its services closer to more of the town’s citizens, and asked it, along with the rest of the industry, to make sure customers remain clued up to benefit from these services.
“My call still remains that all banks ensure that their customers are financially literate and that no one is left out from the beneficial financial services in the country, and particularly the great Erongo Region,” the governor said.
Also at the event, FNB Namibia announced it had integrated the country’s ‘Harambee Prosperity Plan’ into its long-term business strategy, to which effect it has already pledged N$3 million over the next three years to the Shack Dwellers Association.
That amount is meant to assist with the building of houses for the bottom end of the housing market.
“In addition, we will soon launch a very exciting home loans product aimed at the low to middle segment, and at our last board meeting we approved a special fund to enhance the development of SME business in Namibia, something that will soon be taken to market as well,” Van Zyl said.
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