FNB has announced that customers who use its banking app will no longer need data to access it via their smartphones from 1 July 2017.
This follows an agreement with all major mobile network operators in South Africa to zero rate access to the FNB Banking App allowing all customers to use it at no cost. The bank already offers free access to its app to all FNB Connect customers, and offers free WiFi in most FNB branches for customers to download the app.
Giuseppe Virgillito, FNB Digital spokesperson, says “Since launching the app six years ago, not only has it become the most downloaded, but also the popular banking app amongst consumers as recently rated in the SAcsi and Columinate SITEisfaction Index’s 2017.”
“We believe that access to data or airtime should not be a barrier to safe and convenient banking for South Africans. The zero rating of the app is in line with our broader strategy to migrate customers to digital and electronic channels where a number of transactions and services are already offered free of charge,” adds Virgillito.
The FNB Banking App not only offers customers convenience, but increased value through its industry leading features that caters for the basic and advanced banking transactions in the hands of customers.
“We attribute the success of the banking app to continuous innovation and meeting more than the basic banking needs of our customers,” adds Virgillito.
Furthermore, with fraud being a global concern for customers that use digital platforms, the latest version of the FNB Banking App boasts industry-leading security features.
The industry first inContact solution has evolved to introduce Smart InContact, which allows customers to receive secure Online Banking transaction approvals on the FNB App which does not rely on SMS or email technology which could be intercepted by fraudsters. Smart inContact on the FNB App also notifies customers of all transactions for free, from as low as one cent, with full control to report fraud with 1-touch of the Report Fraud button to the 24/7 FNB Fraud line. The app also works with Online Banking to verify devices that customers use to transact on their respective profiles. Only verified devices with the app installed receive Smart inContact transaction approvals.
Logins to Online Banking also trigger a Smart inContact notification for customers to be notified whenever their Online Banking is accessed. App users can also now authenticate themselves through Fingerprint ID available to both Android and iPhone owners, which uses a fingerprint sensor to verify the user before giving access to the account profile.
The FNB Banking App is currently ranked the best in South Africa by customers in both the South African Consumer Satisfaction Index 2017, and in the Columinate SITEisfaction Index 2017. The app has also been ranked best in South Africa by international benchmark studies, such as MyPrivateBanking Research and Finalta where international banking experts rank the FNB Banking App as standing shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.
“Apart from gaining multiple international awards over the years, we still strive to please our customers, and the results are evident in both the SAcsi and SITEisfactions surveys, where when unpacking the detail, consumers rate the FNB Banking App as the best banking app in the country,” says Virgillito.
The FNB Banking App features industry-leading solutions such as FNB Pay, Fingerprint ID, Secure Chat, Smart inContact, 1-touch Report Fraud, nav>> Car and nav>> Home, eBucks Partner locator and FNB TV, amongst others.