The Sunday Mail
Business Reporter
FBC HOLDINGS is set to refurbish 13 branches across Zimbabwe to freshen up its look and upgrade facilities to global banking standards.This involves installing world-class granite façades and quality furniture, and will cost an estimated US$3 million. FBC also plans to add new branches to the 19 it presently has.
FBC group spokesperson Ms Priscilla Sadomba last week said sprucing up its properties would create a modern banking environment.
“The branches have been designed to deliver top drawer services to customers in a modern banking environment. However, with dynamic trends in retail and corporate banking, we plan to renovate selected branches in the coming year as we strive to bring all the branches up to speed with international standards.
“The bank has been on a major branch refurbishment exercise and this has seen the renovation of three branches in Harare, Mutare and Zvishavane.
“The revamped branches’ aesthetic outlook has been given a fresher, modern and more inviting look to meet modern banking standards,” said Ms Sadomba.
The financial institution said investing in aesthetics would help position it for future growth.
Ms Sadomba noted that after embracing e-commerce in its banking operations, FBC was angling to enhance synergies with state-of-the-art brick and mortar delivery channels.
Traditional banks are still relevant despite immense pressure posed by mobile platforms. Mobile money platforms are increasingly challenging traditional banking methods.
EcoCash, for example, has been handling more than US$1 billion annually since 2014. Recently, TeleCash indicated it handled more than US$600 million and registered 600 000 users since inception in 2014, while NetCash is exploring ways to improve transaction volumes.
