First National Bank launches smartphones for mobile banking boost
Welcome to the bundle. South Africa’s First National Bank has launched its own-branded smartphones as it looks to mobile banking growth.
The ConeXis X1 and A1 phones will be available from 380 branches around the country and come bundled with FNB’s smartphone banking app.
Jan Kleynhans, CEO of the FNB Consumer Segment, says the initiative is designed to drive customers to its mobile banking channels.
FNB has integrated the ConeXis smartphone with its rewards and banking programme, and offers customers cellular discounts as a sweetener.
The launch follows last year’s debut of its mobile virtual network operator, FNB Connect. The bank recently announced it is introducing an unlimited calls offering through FNB Connect.
The A1 and X1 are available to customers with banking transactional account. Both phones require an FNB Connect Sim card.
Scramble for Africa
Mobile banking in Africa has recently been active as banks sense new opportunities.
Société Générale acquired a stake in TagPay, a French mobile banking firm, as it looks to develop mobile banking on the continent.
Standard Bank in South Africa launched its existing banking app to four additional African markets. The app is now available in Uganda, Namibia, Ghana and Botswana; with plans to roll it out to Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe by the end of 2016.
Standard Chartered is bringing its mobile and online banking platform to eight countries in Africa – Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
