CR2, the market leader in Botswana with true local market expertise, has worked throughout this project alongside Botswana Savings Bank to bring these new capabilities to life.

The event itself is the celebration of BSB’s Smooth Banking. BSB customers using the bank’s Visa Debit Card will now be able to access banking anywhere in Botswana at BSB ATMs and also at other banks’ VISA-enabled ATMs. The bank’s philosophy of turning its customers into fans is evident as it becomes the first ever indigenous bank to offer both withdrawals and deposits at a VISA enabled ATM. Botswana Savings Bank Board Chairperson, Ms Juliana White remarked that “The benefits of deploying these channels are that the customer can now access his accounts 24/7, has more access points by using any VISA-branded machine, and transactions are processed on a real-time basis”. She also commented that this makes BSB service delivery faster, more accessible and affordable with a range of products covering corporate deposits, individual deposits and unsecured personal loans.

This official launch demonstrates once again the dedication of Botswana Savings Bank to not only enabling financial inclusion in a country where the portion of unbanked adults stands at 55% of the population, but also their commitment to their customers and to modernising their services by offering cutting-edge banking to the people of Botswana. This event was described as the beginning of BSB’s plan to empower their customers with a host of dynamic new services such as cash deposits on a tried-and-tested ATM channel. The bank has already installed four ATMs, three in Gaborone and one at Francistown. BSB is also planning to open branches complete with ATM channels in other villages like Mahalapye and Serowe in the near future.

The Honourable Minister, Tshenolo Mabeo, commented in his keynote address that “customers of today are spoilt for choice and continue to demand better services with technological advancements” also stating “This is innovation at its best. This is a clear demonstration that BSB is not only moving at speed in embracing digital banking but is constantly working at exceeding customer expectations by launching new products.”

Boikhutso Tekane, Chief Executive Officer at Botswana Savings Bank, commented: “At Botswana Savings Bank, our aim is to bring the best service to the people of Botswana and to reach out to the underbanked community across the country. In CR2 we have found a partner to work with in achieving our long term strategic goals. By providing our customers with such a technologically wealthy ATM service - including SMS alerts - we believe we shall earn their trust and loyalty.

Franky Van Damme, Chief Executive Officer, CR2 added; “As an organisation we, at CR2, believe in working alongside our customers to achieve real and tangible results. Our partnership with Botswana Savings Bank is a prime example of this as we have specifically tailored BankWorld to suit the bank’s needs and ultimately the needs of their customers. Now that these dynamic services and functionality are available to Botswana Savings Bank customers, we look forward to continue to work together with the bank to realise their vision and strategic goals.