Since the launch of its Banking Application (App) on the 20th July 2011, the first and only transactional banking App in South Africa, First National Bank (FNB) has seen over R1.5billion in transactions via the Banking App.
"Since launching six months ago, we have 100 000 active clients, far exceeding our expectations. It has been one of the most popular App downloads in South Africa, ranking first in the Finance category of the Apple App Store and a regular in the top 4 overall free Apps in South Africa," says Farren Roper, Head of Products and Markets for FNB Connect.
The Banking App combines the benefits of banking with the power of a Smartphone or Tablet computer device to deliver a unique user experience that only an App can offer. It offers customers a convenient, anytime, anywhere digital banking solution as well as other value adds like location based services, as well as free calls and messages.
The App is a free download from the Apple App Store, the BlackBerry App world, the Android Market and Nokia Ovi store and covers the four major Operating Sytems. According to the user split, Apple seems to be the most popular device, with 49% of users transacting via iPhones, followed by BlackBerry devices at 29%, Androids at 19% and Nokia/Symbian at 3%.
"We see Apps, mobility and digital banking as the future, but it is great to see such positive results in the present as well. It's not just the banking results that we are pleased with - our customers are using and enjoying the other value adds as well, features such as our Branch and ATM locator and our FNB Connect calls and SMS. Thousands of FNB customers have also benefited from free calls to us and each other as well as the cheapest SA cellular calls," says Roper.
The App has released added functionality almost on a monthly basis since the launch and there is no sign of slowing down. "There is no room for complacency. We have a roadmap of innovations on the App which extend to 2013. Most recently, we have included additional functionality, allowing users to add recipients to banking payment beneficiaries and make once-off payments, which has also contributed towards the large volumes being transacted via the App. Some of our imminent innovations will be not only first-to-market but first to South African Banking and will position FNB for the new wave of mobile payments," continues Roper.
"We understand the increasing importance of on-the-go banking as well as value added services for our customers. With over R1.5 Billion transacted via the App to date, it is a testament to how the demand for banking ease and relevant value adds have been the catalyst for the App's phenomenal success," concludes Roper.