BancABC, the local banking subsidiary of Pan African Group Atlas Mara, has partnered with TelOne, one of the country’s largest telecommunications players, to launch a Pilot City Hopper Agency, an extension of the Bank’s popular and innovative City Hopper service launched a few years ago. Through the agency arrangement, the bank intends to partner several organisations who will provide local remittance service to Zimbabweans throughout the country.
The Bank launched the ground-breaking City Hopper facility in 2020, a ‘first to market’ domestic remittance service that addressed the nationwide challenge of instantly sending and receiving foreign currency across the country. The product has since been replicated by other financial players.
In an effort to increase accessibility and convenience to customers, the bank will appoint qualifying agents to process City Hopper Cash-In and Cash-Out transactions beyond its branch and kiosk network. TelOne, with a significant representation countrywide will be the Bank’s first City Hopper Agent, with more agents earmarked for roll out going forward.
The Bank was upbeat about its partnership with TelOne and expects the connection to provide increased reach and service to Zimbabweans who use the City Hopper service. At a charge of just 3%, BancABC and non-BancABC customers can enjoy the convenience of instantly sending US dollars and South African Rands to their loved ones across the country.
Speaking at the launch of the partnership, BancABC MD and CEO, Dr. Lance Mambondiani remarked, “BancABC is passionate about providing relevant, reliable and timely solutions to address our client’s everyday problems. We are excited to offer effective banking solutions to all communities working together with progressive partners like TelOne.”
Chipo Mutasa, the TelOne MD, who also spoke at the launch said, “TelOne was excited to be BancABC’s first partner on this groundbreaking innovation and look forward to extending the convenience of this product through our network of shops across the entire country.”
BancABC has in the past few months been at the centre of a number of innovations, including Branch X, a virtual bank branch launched during the COVID lockdown, A360, a new age mobile app and Ally, a banking platform which allows customers to transact on WhatsApp.
