By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
September 06, 2020, (232News)
FREETOWN – One of Sierra Leone’s finest Banks, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) has launched *3737# for easy banking.
The launch took place on Tuesday 25th August at the Bank’s Headquarters at Wilberforce Street in Freetown.
*3737# enables customers to use their phones to do their transactions and non-customers can become one by opening an account with the bank using the same service. Currently the new service is only applicable to Africell Network. Customers can use 3737 to call and get more information as well.
GTBank Deputy Managing Director, Eegunike Partick Adeyemi described the products as one that is in line with the Sierra Leone Government’s agenda of increasing financial inclusion in the country which ensures that every Sierra Leonean has access to banking services anywhere and at any time.
He described the launch as an eco-event, a landmark of GTBank and one that will usher in a transformation in the financial services of Sierra Leone. He expressed appreciation to President Bio, the Bank Governor and people of Sierra Leone for the financial inclusion policy and for giving them the opportunity to showcase what the bank can offer.
He explained that *3737# is a mobile application that does not need internet services or smart phones. One can use the service in any location at their comfort.
“You can open an account on this platform with your Africell SIM which must be linked to the bank’s data base in Leone denomination. You can transfer funds to any other account.”
He demonstrated that if a customer is in a restaurant, the service can allow him or her to pay for the goods as the service is applicable in any part of the country as long as telecommunication services are available.
GTBank Head of Corporate Affairs, Arthur B. Kallon explained that *3737# is an easy way for customers to get their BBan through their phone, check their Bank Account balance by themselves, get mini statement, purchase airtime and pay electricity bills among others.
He said they can also use the service to transfer money with their phones or use their phones to open Bank Accounts. These services he added need no internet but the customer needs an Africell SIM.
He continued to say the first thing a customer can do is to register which is option 7 in order to access the service which is free and does not require internet.
During the registration, he stated, the customer will be asked to enter a secret question which he must remember and continue the process from there.
He described the service as first of its kind in the country and one that can give easy access to their customers and will also help to reduce the crowd in the banking hall especially when the world is battling Covid-19.
GTBank Head of E-Business, Victor Clifford demonstrated how the service operates and emphasized that one needs to have a mobile phone and a GTBank Account to enjoy the pleasure of banking with ease.
GTBank Head of Information Technology, Christian Odey assured customers of security of the service. He disclosed how Bank of Sierra Leone tested the service and are satisfied with it which was why they gave the go-ahead to launch it.
