Kenya: Barclays waives ATM services levy

By Staff Writer

Nairobi…In a move aimed offering customers more convenience and inclusive banking services, Barclays Bank of Kenya (Barclays Kenya) on March 16, 2011 waived all levies charged for use of ATM services.

Barclays Kenya customers can now carryout transactions in any of the 236 automated teller machine (ATMs) services spread across all corners of the country without paying a single cent.

There are no bank charges for the use of the ATMs for cash withdrawal and balance enquiry.

Yet in another bold move towards bringing Barclays and banking services to more customers, Barclays Kenya has introduced free internet banking services and free services under the latest mobile phone banking platform, Hello Money.

The introduction of the free channels was underpinned by Barclays Kenya’s objective to align products and services with evolving customer needs and lifestyles.

“This new offers are in line with our strategy to enhance customer service, support Branch expansion and improve management of customer complaints and resolution,” said Mr Adan Mohamed, Barclays Managing Director East and West Africa when he made the announcement.

Mr Mohamed added, “This is yet another Barclays Kenya’s innovation that goes to demonstrate we are the leaders in the industry in terms of innovation and customer service. It is also another step that shows we are going to great heights to make it much easier to bank with Barclays.”

The ATMs compliments the established and extensive network of over 117 Barclays Kenya outlets that have almost doubled from 62, of five years ago.

To facilitate greater ease of transactions, over the past two years Barclays Kenya has made several investments in the  information technology and communications structure including upgrading the credit card system and transitioning the core banking system to a new, state-of-the-art platform and partnering with Kenya’s leading mobile subscriber Safaricom to offer M-PESA (mobile money transfers) services.

Hello Money is a groundbreaking service that enables customers to perform transactions in real time over their mobile phones. The Hallo money technology combines security, accessibility and convenience.

Barclays Customers now carry their bank in their mobile, accessing banking services anytime/anywhere on the move. Unlike other players in the sector this is all for free.

Mr Mohamed summed it up: “Barclays Kenya is increasingly shifting our growth strategy from increasing the number of branches to use technology as we strive to improve the bottom line.  After we increased our branch networks to optimal levels the next phase for us is to tap technology to drive the next phase of growth and to offer our customers more convenient channels. Our new free channel services- ATMs, Internet and hello Money is a significant step for Barclays - one that reinforces our commitment to making our customers lives much easier.”