Kampala, 10th Jan, 2017 -Stanbic Bank concluded its Xmas promoorganised to promote increased usage of digital channels and cashless bankingby holding the 2ndand final trolley dash for seven lucky customersat Quality Supermarket in Naalya. The winnersMartin Lutaaya, Jerome Birungi, June Nyakahuma, Steve Daniel Katongole, Amos Kiyingi, Bashir AliyuYakasai, and Racheal Phoebe Kabejjapicked shopping items worth thousands of shillings in the 60 second dash.
Speaking at the conclusion of the dash, Stanbic’s Banks Card Payments, Issuing & Acquiring Manager, Damalie Sajjabi thanked the bank’s customers who participated in the promotion. She said,“This is a positive sign that more and more Ugandans are appreciating the value of using credit and debit cards as opposed to cash which can be risky to carry. This is the main reason why we are rewarding and encouraging our customers to use cards as a payment alternative”.
Talking about some of the bank’s other strategies and initiatives to promote the increased usage of debit and credit cards, Damalie noted that Stanbic already has the largest ATM network in the country with over 170strategic locations backed up by 493 Visa enabled POS machines in all the major malls, restaurants, shops and supermarkets. “We plan to significantly increase this number as well as further integrate our online platforms with customer accounts so clients can do all their banking at a time and place of their convenience. Our objective as a bank is to make it as easy as possible for our clients to transact by putting them increasingly in control of their overall banking experience, digital channels give us that possibility which is the reason why we have invested so much in its development,”she explained.
Credit and debit card usage increased during the promotion season, Stanbic Bank registered a growth of 70% in transactions compared to months prior the festive season. The Bank also noted that more of the outlets should engage in promoting use of credit and debit cards because the growth numbers were an indicator of a mind-set change to cashless banking.
According to Dr. Fred Muhumuza a development Economist,“The growth of plastic money usage in Uganda remains low because of a number of challenges which include a lack of POS machines and ATM located almost exclusively in urban areas. It is therefore imperative for banks to promote cashless banking through a combination of awareness and development of linkages with other payment platforms such as mobile money”.
The Stanbic Xmas dash organised through the bank’s social media platforms was open to all Visa and Mastercard – Local and International debit and credit card holders as well as prepaid cards. To enter, all customers had to do was to make a purchase ofa minimum UGX 50,000 at one of the Banks partner outlets, take a selfie then like the Stanbic Bank facebook page (@Stanbicug) and or follow the bank on Twitter (#StanbicXmasDash).
The participating outlets by category were:-(Restaurants):- Café Javas, Mythos Greek Taverna, The Bistro, Piato Restaurant, KFC, Pizza Hut, Riders Uganda Ltd, Eucupirien-Kololo. (Supermarkets): Game Lugogo, Quality, Capital Shoppers, Nakumatt, Embassy, Jazz, Risko Kids, Pep Store. (Hospitals): Nakasero Hospital, Pan Dental Surgery, Dr.Agwarwal Eye Hospital. (Fuel stations): Total and City Oil. (Air Travel):Rwandair Kampala.
“We plan on organising many more initiatives with fantastic prizes and incentives to promote cashless banking so I encourage our clients to follow us on social media and continue using their visa and master card debit and credit cards,” Damalie concluded.
