First National Bank (FNB) has rolled out is first fully operational portable prefabricated branch in Rustenburg as part of its move to provide banking services to the underbanked.
FNB branch delivery CEO Zweli Manyathi says the roll-out of each branch costs about R840 000, about half that of a conventional branch, and can be placed five weeks after selecting a location. The units are transported to sites by means of a flatbed truck and can be extended on site if needed.
"Facilities within the mobile branch will be much the same as a normal branch. Clients will have access to two tellers, two customer service consultants and two ATMs, and will be supported from the nearest established FNB branch," he says.
Manyathi says a full security study has been conducted to ensure that clients using the facility enjoy the same standard of safety offered in any of the bank`s other branches.
"The portable branches and its ATMs contain safes protected by cellular-driven support technology for their protection."
If locations are without established infrastructure, Manyathi says solar panels and generators will provide the branch with energy together with satellite technology to transfer necessary data to process sites around the country.
"The technology has enabled us to greatly enhance our access to the previously underbanked market in rural areas. We are committed to making banking accessible to communities who have until now been excluded from mainstream banking.
"We are in the process pf constructing the next branch which will then be delivered once a suitable location has been selected," he says.
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