Nairobi — UBA Group has unveiled chat banking in Kenya that enables customers to sign up for accounts, request for a mini statement, fund transfers and check user balance through the Facebook chat app.
The service dubbed 'LEO' rides on Facebook Messenger, also allows customers to top up airtime, check user balance and live chat the customer fulfilment centre.
UBA plans to introduce mobile money transfers, inter-bank fund transfers and payment of bills in the near future.
"Today we launch United Bank for Africa's Facebook e-chat service, marking yet another great milestone in the Kenyan banking sector. UBA becomes the first bank in Kenya to offer an e-chat service that enables customers to execute transactions on Facebook," said Isaac Mwige, UBA Bank Kenya Managing Director and CEO.
New and existing customers of UBA will be required to search for 'UBA ChatBanking' on Facebook Messenger to begin the enrolment process.
LEO will then take them through a set of requirements before the service is granted.
When not guiding customers through transactions, LEO will engage them on social interests such as entertainment, sports, and lifestyle among others.
"The launch of LEO is in line with our commitment to continuously provide our customers with the latest innovative and convenient banking solutions that fit their lifestyle," Mwige added.
The emergence of LEO, has been a continuous directive to push the banking sector beyond financial services and to show that the bank truly comprehends the shift in operations and the movement of the global world with technology today.
"Technology remains central to United Bank for Africa's business strategy, as we endeavour to provide our customer with innovative and convenient banking solutions, further entrenching our vision to be the undisputed, leading and dominant financial services institution in Africa "said Emeke E. Iweriebor, Group Executive Director and CEO UBA East and Southern Africa.
LEO has so far executed over 500,000 financial transactions, from over 300,000 users.
