Absa Seychelles launches Abby, its WhatsApp transactional banking |01 December 2020
Mr Van Schalkwyk addressing the gathering during the launch ceremony yesterday (Photo: Anel Robert) (photo right and Mr Pillay giving an overview of Abby (Photo: Anel Robert)
Abby is the new innovative and exciting transactional banking solution and chat banking capability on WhatsApp introduced by Absa Bank Seychelles.
The secure and smart digital banker that will help Absa customers bank safely 24 hours (24/7), was launched at the Eden Bleu Hotel, Eden Island, by Johan Van Schalkwyk, managing director of Absa Bank Seychelles.
Abby, through WhatsApp, allows customers to check their account balance for their cheques, current, savings or credit card accounts, make payments to existing beneficiaries, make bill payments, check their transaction history and search for transactions, make inter-account transfers or review their account information (Credit Card account only), among other needy information.
To transact on chat banking, customers are required to use their online log-in details. Moreover, they have the option to self-register on the Absa website or start chatting with Abby today, by sending “Hello” to WhatsApp number +2482521878. The service itself is free of charge.
The launch of the new chat banking facility was held in the presence of Absa board chairman Jean Weeling-Lee, chairman of the Seychelles Banker’s Association Philip Moustache including some customers and business partners of Absa.
“Following our successful transition to Absa, our goal is to become a digitally-led financial partner. We believe in creating opportunities for our customers as we bring their possibilities to life. As a bank, we remain dedicated to finding differentiated transactional banking propositions to meet the evolving needs of our customers by providing innovative, digitised products delivered through personalised service. That’s Africanacity. That’s Absa,” said managing director Johan Van Schalkwyk during the launch.
He noted that while children are today being born in a world of technology, banks, including Absa, have to start preparing to cater for the needs of such customers of the future as they (customers) will be the ones not going to a bank branch for any transaction.
Going forward in 2021, Mr Van Schalkwyk said Absa will move very strongly towards a self service, based on digital capabilities, in all of its branches.
“We are excited to launch an upgraded way of banking using a conversational platform where customers will have the opportunity to now carry out their day-to-day transactions all on WhatsApp. In recent times, we have seen the rise of innovations that are slowly transforming the way the banking industry operates. In addition, Covid-19 continues to change the way our customers interact with the bank,” said Murugan Pillay, head of product, digital, segment and CLM Absa Bank Seychelles when giving an overview of Abby.
“Through our chat banking capability, we are serving our customers’ transaction needs in real time, conveniently and safely across the African continent. Abby is a fast learner, meaning the more you chat, the better your banking experience gets. It is another digital innovation that helps you get things done,” added Mr Pillay.
Head of marketing and corporate relations, Amanda Bernstein, said while Absa has introduced the services of the Creole language on its App and ATM machines, it will look in the future to introduce it on Abby also.
She claimed that Abby is secured and would like to encourage clients to visit Absa website for more information on the chat banking platform. She noted that while using it, to consult Absa call centre 4383939 for any difficulties encountered.
Mrs Bernstein also noted that while there will be limited number of people coming to the bank due to them adopting to new technologies being offered, the staff who used to see them will be upskilled for further behind-the-scene assistance in relation to the banking technologies being implemented.
Patrick Joubert
