Absa to pilot ChatBanking for Facebook Messenger

Absa has launched ChatBanking for Facebook Messenger to enable customers to conduct their banking without ever having to leave their favourite social media platform. By Staff Writer

The launch of the secure, private and fully integrated banking service on Facebook Messenger follows soon after the introduction of Absa ChatBanking on Twitter in May this year.

As part of the offering, Absa customers will be able to use Facebook Messenger as well as Twitter to conduct the following transactions:

• Get the actual and available balance on their transactional account
• Buy airtime or data for the cellphone registered to their account
• Get a mini-statement showing the last few transactions on their account
• Buy PrePaid Electricity* for selected municipalities
• Make a payment to an existing beneficiary that they have paid at least once before
• Learn about special shortcuts to make ChatBanking even faster

Accessing ChatBanking for Facebook Messenger is simple. In a one-time only process, Absa customers who are registered for Absa Online and have access to the Express tab, can register for ChatBanking for Facebook Messenger.

The bank is targeting 13 million South Africans on Facebook.

“Our customers already use Facebook for their daily dose of global news, to share photos with friends and family and even solve their business issues. To deliver a cool banking experience, we are bringing banking to where our customers spend their time. The service, a world first from Absa, allows customers to do their “liking” and banking in the same space,” says Ashley Veasey, Group Chief Information Officer and Chief Digital Officer at Barclays Africa.

“The launch of ChatBanking for Facebook Messenger, in addition to Twitter, will open many doors for easier, better digital interactions to take place wherever the customer is. It offers an even faster, simpler, and richer experience than traditional digital banking channels,” says Veasey.

Your personal information is protected and your account number and personal details will never be displayed in a chat. “This means that even in the event of your cellphone being stolen or someone gaining access to your Facebook account, they would not be able to abuse the information.”