FNB's latest mobile digital channel combines the benefits of banking with the power of a smartphone or tablet computer device to deliver a unique user experience that only an app can offer. Michael Jordaan, CEO of FNB says it speaks to the bank's strategic drive to be the leader in innovative banking using technology.
"In an increasingly digital world in which smartphones, tablet devices and apps are changing the way we communicate and live, this introduction will enable us to widen our offering, allowing us to provide our customers with convenient banking solutions and great user experience.
"The solution will give our customers a convenient, anytime, anywhere digital banking solution, rich in user experience. We are glad to say that this app is a home grown creation and has been developed in-house by FNB Connect, the bank's internal Internet Service Provider. It will provide our customers with better performance than traditional web based means of banking. The market can expect to see a lot more of our existing innovations incorporated into it and a number of new mobile innovations dovetail from the App roadmap."
In addition to banking services, a few of the value added services include allowing customers to find FNB branches and ATMs using location based services, as well as access to an immediate FNB branch list directory, making free calls to any FNB contact centres and cheap outbound calls to other numbers. It also has functionality for users to view foreign exchange rates.
South Africa currently has an estimated 16% Smartphone penetration, which according to information technology Research Company Gartner, will ramp up to 80% by 2014. Global sales of tablet computers and smartphones are predicted to exceed PC, notebooks and netbooks in 2011. [1] The App market is also predicted to grow by 60%.
"The App was designed for quick deployment into new and existing markets as, it works off any network and off a 3G or WiFi access medium. Smartphone and tablet device users require mobility and multi-functionality and we designed our App with this user profile in mind. It gives the multitasker a quick, one stop and convenient banking experience," comments Farren Roper, head of products and markets at FNB Connect.
To use the service, customers who have Apple devices can download the App from the Apple App store, Android customers from the Android Market and Blackberry customers can get the App from the Blackberry App world. Another alternative is to follow the links to the App stores from FNB Online. Transactional banking is ring-fenced to FNB customers post login, but anyone can download the App from their device's App stores to access pre-login services.
