STANDARD CHARTERED LAUNCHES THE COUNTRY’S FIRST SOCIAL BANKING SOLUTION, THE SC KEYBOARD

Head of Communiations and Marketing for Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania, Juanita Mramba introduces the high table. From her right is the bank’s Digital Banking Ambassador, Vanessa Mdee, The bank’s Head of Retail Banking, Ajmair Riaz and the bank’s Head of Operations and Technology, Christopher Vuhahula at the launch of the SC Keyboard Banking held at Hyatt - The Kilimanjaro Hotel in Dar es Salaam recently.

Standard Chartered Head of Retail, Ajmair Riaz (left) speaks with members of the press (not pictured) about the newly launched bank service SC Keyboard at Hyatt - The Kilimanjaro in Dar es Salaam recently. In the middle is the bank’s Digital Banking Ambassador, Vanessa Mdee and the bank’s Head of Communications and Marketing, Juanita Mramba.

Head of Technology and Operations for Standard Chartered, Christopher Vuhahula explains the new SC Keyboard bank service at its launch that was held at Hyatt - The Kilimanjaro Hotel in Dar es Salaam recently. On the right is the bank’s Head of Retail Banking, Ajmair Riaz.

Standard Chartered Digital Banking Ambassador, Vanessa Mdee (second right) speaks to the press (not pictured) about taking the good news to the Tanzania public during the launch of the SC Keyboard Banking service held at Hyatt - The Kilimanjaro in Dar es Salaam.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - 17 July 2019 - Standard Chartered has announced yet another First banking feature in the Tanzanian market. In its continued efforts to meet the rising demands of the country’s young and digitally-savvy population, the Bank has launched the country’s first Social Banking Solution called SC Keyboard. The feature, which is part of the Bank’s newly launched Full Digital Bank on Mobile, allows the Bank’s customers to access a variety of financial services from within any social or messaging platform without having to open the Banking app.

Launched in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Ghana, the solution is a first for the Bank in Africa and will be rolled out to Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Nigeria throughout the rest of the year. The keyboard-based banking solution allows clients to transfer money in real-time, pay utility bills and instantly check balances from within any social or messaging platform. The unique digital solution can be configured as the default keyboard on any smartphone, making banking quick and seamless for customers who no longer need to log into their SC Mobile app for basic banking services.

Speaking at a press conference to launch the feature, Ajmair Riaz, the Bank’s Head of Retail Banking, said: “The SC Keyboard is an important milestone in our digital journey. It was designed with our clients in mind, as users can now pay their bills, view their account balances and transfer money to their friends or family through any social or messaging platform, be it WhatApp, Instagram, Facebook, Messenger or traditional SMS’s. We want our interactions to be simple, intuitive and seamless and we will remain committed to leveraging the best technology to make banking more convenient thereby enhancing customer centricity and service delivery.”

The SC Keyboard seamlessly integrates into the keyboard of any smartphone, allowing users to access financial services without having to access (login to) the main App. From within any popular chat application like WhatsApp, Messenger, Twitter, LinkedIn and even traditional SMS, users can check their balances, pay bills or send money to any mobile wallet, without having to exit their chat mode. This feature makes financial transactions more accessible, hassle-free and convenient.

The Bank’s Head of Technology and Operations, Mr. Christopher Vuhahula, said that the Bank continues to leverage on its Digital Baking Capabilities given the evolution of the banking landscape as more and more users adopt online and mobile banking into their daily financial activities.

“Our clients nowadays expect convenience, affordability, security and the aspect of lifestyle in the banking activities. They want to be able to open accounts wherever they are, and they want to do so speedily. They also expect to be able to perform more than just banking transaction on their online platforms – they want to be able to pay bills, access information on banking and financial trends, and much more. We will, therefore, continue to leverage on our aspiration of being the digital bank with a human touch.” Mr. Vuhahula said.

Also present at the launch, was the Bank’s Digital Banking Brand Ambassador and Tanzania’s multiple award-winning singer, Vanessa Mdee. Ms. Mdee remarked that she was honoured to be part a of the remarkable success of the Digital Bank and is already a proud user of SC Keyboard. “As my fans know, I am a passionate user of chat and SC Keyboard allows me to do my banking without having to exit my chat. It has made my life easier”, Vanessa remarked. Ms. Mdee continues to use her celebrity and platform to reach out to thousands of her followers and she recognises the powerful and transformative effect solutions like SC Keyboard can have on people.

Standard Chartered’s Digital Bank on Mobile serves as the Bank’s digital platform and anchor to SC Keyboard and other future capabilities. It continues to give clients practical and attractive options such as a free debit card that is delivered to a location of a client’s choosing; an account with no monthly ledger fees and no need to maintain a minimum balance. The App., called the “SC Mobile Tanzania App” can be downloaded or upgraded via Playstore or AppStore.

For more information or interview opportunities, please contact:

Juanita Mramba,
Corporate Affairs and Brand Marketing,
+255 767 393 992,
juanita.mramba@sc.com

To enjoy the seamless and easy access to banking by SC Keyboard, clients need to:

• Have an Android or iOS smartphone phone with fingerprint support

• Install SC Mobile App. and enable SC Keyboard in the device settings 

• Select SC Keyboard as your default keyboard and start using it

About Standard Chartered
We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in more than 60 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, Here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges as well as the Bombay and National Stock Exchanges in India.

For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook

About Standard Chartered Tanzania
Standard Chartered Tanzania Limited first opened its doors to the public in Tanzania in 1917 and, following a period of nationalisation, re-opened again in 1993 as the first foreign bank to obtain a licence under the economic reform programme. We now have four branches - in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza and Arusha.

Our Head Office is located at International House Property, Corner Shaaban Robert / Garden Avenue, Dar es Salaam.

The Bank aims to offer its customers innovative products and excellent service, which compete with the best in the world. Independent market surveys have shown Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania to have the best service, and to be the most innovative bank in Tanzania.

In May 2014, Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania won an award for the Best Internet Bank in Tanzania for its excellent online banking platform. In November, 2015, Standard Chartered Tanzania was awarded the prestigious ‘Bank of the Year’ award at The Banker Awards 2015. That was the eighth time that the Bank was winning the award, thus being a testimony of our commitment to serve our clients in Tanzania consistently over so many years.

In May 2016, Standard Chartered Tanzania was awarded the prestigious ‘Best in Customer Service’ award by The Banker, Africa.

Last year, 2018, the Bank won the 2018 Bank of the Year Award by the Banker, Financial Times, for the ninth time. Regarded as ‘The Oscars of the Banking Industry’, the Banker Award is handed out to only one bank in every participating country.

The Bank is enthusiastic about the country and is committed to supporting economic growth through its various banking products and services as well as its corporate social responsibility agenda.