By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a bid to take banking to the doorsteps of their valid customers and the unbanked across the country, Guaranty Trust Bank (SL) Limited has on Monday 30th May 2022 launched its Express Point services during a ceremony held at its Headquarters on Wilberforce Street in Freetown.
The service is the Bank’s franchise in making sure that it works in line with the Central Bank’s financial inclusion objective and reaching out to the over four million unbanked, some of which are in areas the bank does not have branches.
In his statement, the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank (SL) Limited, Ade Adebiyi, said the bank has trained 30 Agents that are spread within and outside the Western Urban District, adding that with the launch of the Express Point services customers can go to do basic banking services, pay bills, withdraw and pay monies, etc.
He added that the launch is a milestone for the bank in taking banking to the footsteps of Sierra Leoneans irrespective of where they are.
He informed all that with the Express Point customers can now enjoy fast banking services at their agent outlets in selected locations and that it allows them to make cash deposits, cash withdrawals, pay bills like EDSA, Mobile Top-up, etc.
The Managing Director continued by stating that the product has gone through a penetration test that states that it is safe and secured. “We have put in place a mechanism that customers can always have access to the product. The thirty locations have signages to show the location of Agents,” he said.
“All the Agents have been asked to pay initial liquidity to the bank. The Agents generate cash for the cash out to take place. The Agents are always liquidated to ensure that customers don’t have gaps. The system is re-calibrated to meet the re-denomination of the currency. We are just waiting for the official Launch,” he further informed.
Mustapha Yamba, Head of Agency Banking Units, said for withdrawal the customer uses the bank’s *9737 app on their mobile phones to complete a transaction, which later goes to the Agent. After both sides have received alerts the process is done cash is paid. “Our customers are safe and the Agents are safe also. Transactions cannot be done twice without the confirmation of the customer and Agents. The process is well safe and secured,” Yamba said.
