NMB Bank debuts self-service banking, insurance solution

Minister of  Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Faustine Ndugulile (second left), NMB Bank's Chief Commercial and Private Clients Officer, Filbert Mponzi (third right), clapping during the launch of the NMB Mkononi Plus service held in Dar es Salaam yesterday. Left is the Director of Supervision and Audit of the Tanzania Insurance Authority (TIRA), Neema Lutula. Second from right is NMB Acting Chief Technology and Digital Transformation Officer Kwame Makundi and Head of Insurance Unit Martine Masawe (first right) .

 

 

By A Special Correspondent

 

In yet another top notch creativity, NMB Bank Plc yesterday unveiled a novel banking and insurance solution, which the government says will be decisive in promoting the national digital inclusion agenda.

 

The debut of NMB Mkononi Plus, according to the lender’s Chief of Retail Banking, Mr Filbert Mponzi, is yet another proof of the unrivalled innovation prowess of the bank in the market.

 

Speaking on behalf of Chief Executive Officer Ruth Zaipuna, Mr Mponzi said the all-digital platform confirms NMB Bank’s sectoral leadership in serving the country with value added solutions.

 

“NMB Mkononi Plus is another outcome of our continued investment in digital transformation and innovation. This new solution if for serving all Tanzanians provided one has a digitally connected cellphone,” he noted.

 

Speaking before gracing its launch, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dr Faustine Ndugulile, said the solution augurs well with the government’s digitization efforts.

 

He stated that since NMB Mkononi Plus caters for both customers and those not banking with lender it will be catalytic in furthering the national digital inclusion agenda and attaining the digital economy ambitions.

 

“This is an excellent move that is in line with the digital economy aspirations of the government, which is doing all it takes to put in place supportive conditions for such  initiatives and other ICT services to thrive,” Dr Ndugulile explained.

 

According to him, the government through various undertakings has tremendously transformed the country’s digital landscape consequently creating commercial opportunities that banks can exploit for business.

 

These include the National ICT Backbone (NICTBB) project whereby so far 7,910-km of the fibre optic infrastructure have been completed. The goal is to reach 15,000-km by 2025 and connecting the whole Great Lakes market, the minister stated.

 

“The number of registered SIM cards has now reached 51 million whereas those used for mobile money services number 32 million and accessing the internet 29 million. These achievements portray a rosy picture of the huge business potential in digital finance,” he added.

 

The lender said in a statement that NMB Mkononi Plus solution has been customized for customers as a one-stop-shop for all NMB services. Initially it will offer NMB’s BIMA USSD, Dunduliza and Pamoja Account services and later on incorporate other products.

 

Among other things, the platform includes BIMA XPRESS, which is a self-service solution that enables both customers and non-customers to buy insurance policies as well as report and file claims digitally. The bank officials said most importantly, NMB Mkononi Plus will empower its users to take more control of their banking and insurance experiences.

 

“Exceptional customer service is our priority.  Modern, reliable digital convenience and simplified service are the main goals of NMB Mkononi Plus,” Mr Mponzi noted.