The IBP WhatsApp Banking…That’s What’s Up So Keep It Up During & Post COVID-19

Maria Karima

Head - Corporate Affairs & Marketing Investrust Bank Plc

Dear Reader,

We trust that you and your wonderful family are keeping safe as we all put into effect what is expected of us as we work at mitigating the effects of the COVID – 19 pandemic. During the past weeks, we have been telling stories regarding ways of doing things have tremendously changed due to the pandemic. We have shared our preparedness in ensuring that we protect our customers, staff and members of the general public from the dangers of the pandemic by ensuring that we remind them about our product and service offering that puts their health first. These stakeholders matter to us, before anything else, their health and wellbeing is priority number one to us.

This week, we draw your attention to yet another of our innovation success story. We detail another innovative and quality yet very affordable product/service that we encourage you to use in the comfort of your own space in an easy and fun manner as you have never experienced before. The ease with which you navigate your way as you use this service is mind-blowing; indeed, banking couldn’t be easier!

We ‘Gave’ You *427#, Mobile App, InvestNet, Agency Banking, InvestGo & Pay Easy Cards – Then Came WhatsApp Banking!

Innovation continues to be a priority at Investrust Bank Plc (IBP). It is no wonder that we added another exciting product to our product/service offering menu, WhatsApp Banking! We understand that your needs as current and potential customers are always evolving and that convenience, security, easy accessibility and speed rank very highly on your ‘must-have’ service delivery standards/requirements list We trust that this innovation has continued to add value to your customer experience with us as we journey together on the banking ride! This innovation should make you smile for many reasons, and particularly now that we are supposed to observe social/ physical distancing.

Here is why you should smile and be proud that you use this service:

Financial Inclusion

WhatsApp Banking is a true and trusted catalyst for Financial Inclusion (FI). The service is accessible to many people, including those in geographical locations deemed to be outside urban areas. The services on WhatsApp banking are competitively priced and approved by the Bank of Zambia, who is champions of FI. The service uses USSD technology which is very basic and easy to assimilate by anyone. This helps to bridge technological accessibility challenges identified as barriers in FI. The cost of conducting banking business on this platform is almost nil because it does not require packet data to access. The knowledge required to use the service is simple and easy to assimilate. When it is used once and the user masters the commands, it is easier for one to use follow-up transactions. What’s more? One need not have a smartphone to access the service. What beats that?

Integration On All MNO’s In Zambia

The system is integrated to all MNOs in Zambia, namely Airtel, MTN and Zamtel, making it possible for clients on any of these networks to use the service. This translates into the fact that people will still continue to use the numbers that they already use in order for them to use the service.

Fast Service – Here And Now!

The service is a platform for building prosperity based on the principles of convenience because it is here and now! It connects you to everyone, and you are in control because you can determine what to do with it. What beats that? Speed is critical in banking or any other business. The service is like a friend who knows you. If for instance, you are using the service to purchase air time, you need not tell the system about your network. All you need to do is follow the ‘buy’ prompt and key in the amount.

Convenience At Its Best

Customers can use the service wherever they are as long as there is a wireless signal because the platform uses mobile wireless technology. This convenience helps customers to save on time for them to do other things that are important to them. It allows customers to do life!

Same Pin/New Experience - Security

Guaranteed

When it comes to the banking business, security is of paramount importance. All transactions on the platform are authenticated by the use of mobile banking or mobile money Personal Identification Number ( PIN), which is unique to the user. The customer uses the PIN that they already use on mobile banking which eliminates the risk of having to create or remember new PINs. The platform reduces the risk of carrying cash around, and transactions are effected digitally.

All You Need To Know About The IBP

Whatsapp Banking Platform

Simply put, we have enabled InvestMobile/*427# on WhatsApp and via SMS. Customers are able to access their bank accounts and enjoy the same benefits and more that they enjoy on USSD *427# using this platform. All one needs to access the service is an active bank account on InvestMobile/ *427#.

Key Features & Functions

Pay: pay for products and services (Merchant payments as you shop in stores supported by the 543 Konse Konse).

Buy: buy Talktime and pay for bills & services ( Airtel, MTN, Zamtel, Liquid Telecom, Zesco, Afribus, DStv, GoTv, MLife, Topstar).

Send: send money to a registered 543 Pay User (this includes all IBP customers set up for the WhatsApp functionality).

Cash Out: withdraw cash from 543 Merchants.

How to Register

Save +260211840008 as a contact on your phone.

Send “Hello” in a chat on WhatsApp to the new contact number you have saved.

You can also send an SMS to 543 reading “Hello” and follow the instructions.

543 Pay/Send Functions Pay Functions

Allows you to perform Pay transactions by following steps below:

On your WhatsApp or SMS chat type, Pay (space) Pay ID (space) Amount then send.

Enter the PIN on prompt to confirm payment.

Once payment is approved, you will receive a message on your WhatsApp or SMS chat showing that the transaction was successful

Send Functions

Allows you to perform Send transactions by following steps below:

On your WhatsApp or SMS chat, type Send (space) Mobile number (space) Amount then send.

Enter Pin on the prompt to confirm payment.

Once the transaction is approved, you will receive a message on your WhatsApp or SMS chat showing the transaction was successful.

Dear Reader, we trust that you enjoyed the read and that you will join the IBP family by opening an account with us if not yet our customer in order for you to enjoy this and many other great services that we have on offer.

Until next time, stay blessed and be a blessing to others and remember to keep safe as we fight COVID -19. Wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, observe at least 1m of social/physical distancing, cover your mouth and nose with a mask or indeed any cloth when you step out of your home to go to any public places and more importantly, stay at home!

For comments or questions email maria.karima@investrustbank.co.zm