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Oliver Kazunga Senior Business Reporter
ONE of the country’s largest commercial banks, ZB Bank has scored a first by launching deposit-taking Automated Teller Machines. Speaking at a cocktail for the media hosted by the financial institution in Bulawayo on Saturday night, ZB Financial Holdings group corporate services head Shadowsight Chiganze, said the machines which take bulk deposits from corporate clients, were in line with technological trends.

“ZB Bank has scored a first once again in launching Automated Teller Service Machines which in simple terms is a deposit taking machine which automatically credits the client’s account once a deposit is made. This primarily caters for corporate customers who want to do bulk deposits,” he said.

He also said the introduction of their new card system called the Smartvista, which has many uses, would take the bank to greater heights.

Chiganze said the new system comes with cardless transactions and card-to-card transfers among others.

“In line with technological trends, we’ve introduced a loan that allows our customers to buy gadgets such as smart phones, printers, laptops and many others,” he said.

“We’re in the process of rationalising our space that we occupy and the ZBFH head office will soon be moving offices to new premises to support the cost cutting initiatives.”

He added that in line with their strategic thrust to pursue cost effective channel expansion strategies, the bank had launched agency banking.

This, he said ensures the financial institution would be able to serve customers in every part of the country.

It also allows the bank to penetrate previously unbanked and under-banked areas in line with Zim-Asset and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s thrust on financial inclusion and the need to capture the informal markets.

“We want to be present and in touch with our customers always. We’re very pleased to advise that we now have more than 3,000 registered agencies,” said Chiganze.

Turning to the bank’s financial performance, he said:

“We’ve posted a profit of just over $4 million for the first half year 2015 which compares favourably to $2.4 million which was posted over the same period last year.”