Moving around in 2020 has been a hassle. Not only can it result in your death (no, seriously) but because of quarantine and suspension of services, the moving around itself is pretty difficult. Many businesses have opted to go fully or partially remote and banks have dealt with this
Earlier this year, BancABC announced BranchX. This is a “virtual bank” that allows clients to initiate transactions they normally have to go to branches for from the comfort of their homes.
Banks such as EcoBank, FBC and NMB updated their banking apps significantly to give clients more functionality from wherever they are.
Steward Bank as far back as early September launched video banking services to assist customers. Strangely they didn’t communicate with any media houses or send messages to their clients (or mine got lost somewhere on its way to me).
PurpleKonnect Video Banking as its called allows clients to use Skype, Zoom, WhatsApp and Sasai to get assistance from Steward Bank customer service workers for things they would usually walk into branches. Whilst Steward Bank hasn’t officially listed the actual functions you can perform the assumption is that this service will be for functions you can’t carry out via mobile banking (USSD/App).
Steward bank shared the following credentials for those interested in trying out the video banking services;
| Branch | Skype ID | Zoom | Sasai | |
| Victoria Falls | Steward Bank Victoriafalls Skype | VictoriaFalls Stewardbank | 0786796407 | 0786796407 |
| Masvingo | Steward Bank Masvingo Skype | Masvingo Zoom | 0783264743 | 0783264743 |
| 101 KWAME | Steward Bank 101 Kwame Skype | 101 Kwame Zoom | 0786598814 | 0786598814 |
| Gweru | Steward Bank Gweru Skype | Gweru Zoom | 0772197654 | 0772197654 |
| Mutare | Steward Bank Mutare Skype | Mutare Zoom | 0786113043 | 0786113043 |
| Borrowdale | Steward Bank Borrowdale Platinum | Borrowdale Platinum | 0776658600 | 0776658600 |
| Eastgate | Steward Bank Eastgate Skype | Eastgate Zoom | 0786661001 | 0786661001 |
| Bulawayo/Bradfield | Steward Bank Bradfieldskype | Bradfieldzoom | 0786838847 | 0786838847 |
| Avondale | Steward Bank Avondale Skype | Avondale Zoom | 0785392714 | 0785392714 |
| Gunhill | Steward Bank Gunhill Platinum Skype | Gunhill Platnum | 0786905299 | 0786905299 |
Another upgrade on the way?
Beyond the video banking services – Cassava Smartech recently announced that Steward Bank is working on a system upgrade that will open up revenue streams for the bank:
Steward Bank’s contribution has remained fairly stable and is expected to maintain that revenue share once the system upgrade project underway is completed. The project is expected to improve customer experience while opening up new revenue streams.
Whilst there’s no timeline for any dates as to when we can expect the upgrade to reach fruition that will be something for the banking sector and Steward clients to look out for.
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