Empowering You Through Safe Banking – Your Wellbeing Is Our Priority, *427# It Is!
Dear Reader,
We trust that you and your wonderful family are keeping extremely safe as we continue to fight COVID - 19. Following the onset of the fourth wave of the disease, we are all reminded to be vigilant in observing the health guidelines shared by the Ministry of Health. Please be sure to do your part and protect yourself and your loved ones from the disease. This time calls for minimal movements to control the spread of the Coronavirus. We are reminded and encouraged to leave our homes only when absolutely necessary to do so. At Investrust Bank Plc (IBP), we recognise that your health and well-being and that of your loved ones matter; this is our priority! For this reason, we are deliberate about reinforcing positive behaviours aimed at protecting you as we collectively work at fighting Covid – 19. Today’s story reminds you that you need not leave your home or office to perform some banking and other transactions. Keep safe, stay where you are and use our InvestMobile also commonly referred to as *427# as well as other online platforms we have such as InvestNet (internet banking)!
At Investrust Bank Plc (IBP), we are not only committed to empowering you to be active players in the growth of our economy through the provision of quality yet affordable products and services, we are also committed to making performing banking and other business easier so that you get more time to do life - more time for you to do other things that matter! Paying for bills and conducting other banking business couldn’t be easier; this is true banking but better and safer!
Empowerment & Safety – You Deserve It
At IBP, we recognise the ultimate value of our ability to provide you with such convenience as life-changing because it translates into Financial Inclusion (FI). Through such products and services, we empower people to be active players in the economy’s growth. Innovation, therefore, remains key in whatever we do, and we cannot tell our story in isolation of our contribution to the enhancement of National FI. We know it matters, and we care. We are happy that we can do this whilst keeping you and your loved ones safe from Covid – 19. FI remains one of the key priorities for our country. Prior to and following the launch of the National FI Strategy as well as the Financial
Sector Development Policy and Financial Capability Survey report on 8th November, 2017, Zambia has been on a mission to strengthen the financial sector through FI. During the period, Zambia joined about 30 other countries that launched similar strategies and set on a journey to improve FI levels in their countries by the year 2022. Some of the expectations of the Strategy include, increasing overall FI (formal and informal) from 59% then to 80% in 2022, increasing formal FI from 38% then to 70% in 2022 and improving physical access to high quality financial services including bank branches, agents and ATMs so that the number of financial access points increases from approximately 7 to 10 per 10,000 adults. The Strategy is a platform and guide to our nation as we work towards achieving universal access and use of a broad range of affordable financial products and services. This can only be realised through unwavering commitment, effort and support from key stakeholders who include banks. The role of banks is key in this agenda, and it is no wonder that, at IBP, we have made it our business to play our part in empowering more Zambians to be active players in the growth of our economy through the provision of innovative and quality yet affordable products and services even during difficult times.
Why We Care; Link Between Financial Capability & Financial Inclusion
Key findings of the survey highlighted that some of the main challenges in the Financial Sector in Zambia can be attributed to low rates of financial capabilities and little willingness by people to use formal financial products and services. It was further revealed that when these are reversed, usage of formal financial services will increase. This realisation allows us to contribute to changing the scenario for Zambia through the provision of our banking services. This, we believe, helps to empower more Zambians to be active players in our country’s economic growth amid challenges such as the Covid -19 pandemic.
*427# - A Real Game Changer In Enhancing FI & Promoting Safety
The use of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) has been the answer to communication challenges between organisations and customers. Most banking institutions in the developing world use USSD as their primary communication tool between clients and their mobile payments platforms. You use USSD when you dial a number that starts with * (star) and ends with/in # (hush). Simply put, this is the channel through which communication happens between you through your mobile phone and your preferred organisation (for purposes of this conversation, a bank). Our channel is *427# trading under the product name InvestMobile. What’s more? You can stay safe by avoiding unnecessary movements as you can perform your banking and other business using this platform in the comfort of your own environment.
*427# In Detail, 24/7Access To Your Accounts And Much More
InvestMobile is an electronic banking solution accessible through a mobile phone using the shortcode *427#. Conducting your banking and other business couldn’t be easier! *427# gives you 24/7 access to your IBP personal accounts that you hold. How does one have access to *427#? you may ask. The feature/ service is automatically registered to any personal account that you open with IBP and can be used on platforms such as ATMs, over 2000 Konse Konse 543 merchants spread across the country and various Investrust
Agents spread across 8 out of 10 provinces where we have a presence in Zambia. There is nothing more assuring than knowing the status of your account at all times because you are able to receive sms alerts each time money is put in (credited) or removed from (debited) your account.
*427# Menu Balance Enquiry
Gives you the power to check your balance anytime, anywhere.
Airtime Topup
Gives you the freedom to purchase airtime for yourself or family and friends on all networks and in ANY AMOUNT of your choice (Airtel, MTN, Vodafone & Zamtel).
Bill Payments
Allows you to pay various bills such as the following:
1. DStv
2. GOtv
3. Liquid Telecom
4. Mlife
5. Multichoice-Hardware
6. Topstar
7. Water
8. ZRA
9. Zesco
*And again, we say it, paying for bills couldn’t be easier – it is clearly banking but better at IBP! Our customers and members of the general public deserve it and much more. If you are not our customer yet dear Reader, you too can enjoy this and many other services we offer; join the IBP family by opening an account with us. Simply visit any of our branches nearest to you to do this.
Funds transfer
Allows you to make your own account money transfers, mobile banking transfers using a mobile number, within bank transfers, bank-to-wallet, instant bank transfers and inter-bank transfers.
Cash Out
Allows you to send money to someone who does not have an account with IBP, which they can collect from ALL our ATMs, at our Agents and the 543 Konse Konse outlets.
Statements
Allows you to view your mini bank statements, which you can also request to be sent to you as a text message.
Change Invest Mobile PIN
Gives you that peace of mind at a time when you suspect that your pin is not secure and is compromised by enabling you to change it. Dear Reader, we trust that you enjoyed the read and that you will stay safe and maximise the use of our *427# and other electronic channels that we have on offer during this very difficult time. Please stay safe. Mask Up, stay home, practice social distancing, avoid shaking hands and hugs, wash your hands with soap regularly/sanitise. Join the IBP family today and enjoy conducting banking and other business better and safer! Visit any of our branches nearest to you; IBP friendly staff will be on hand to welcome you.
Stay blessed and be a blessing to others.
For comments or questions email maria.karima@investrustbank.co.zm