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First Bank has commissioned the University of Abuja Digital Xperience Centre (DXC), in line with its drive for higher innovation.
The event, which took place yesterday, was aimed at bringing the future of banking closer to the university community to deposit cash, pay in cheques and withdraw money, including on Saturdays and Sundays.
Speaking during the commissioning of the event inside the university’s permanent site, the bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Olusegun Alebiosu, said the digital experience was designed to enable members of the community to enjoy the bank’s services 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
According to him, “Virtually everything you can do in a conventional banking hall can be done here on a self-service basis. You can deposit cash, pay in cheques and withdraw money, including on Saturdays and Sundays, without the assistance of a teller.
“You can also carry out account maintenance, change your phone number, update your photograph and email address, obtain your account statement and even print your ATM card yourself within minutes.
“Essentially, whatever you ordinarily visit a banking hall to do, you can now do independently at this centre. Given that this is a university environment populated by educated and digitally savvy people, we believe they can conveniently operate the machines and enjoy the services. “Whether students are returning from lectures or studying in the library until midnight, they can stop by and access banking services. There is no closing time. Nobody needs to rush to a bank before closing hours to withdraw money or carry out transactions,” he said.
Explaining further, he said: “We are also introducing something different by deploying staff to the centre to attend to members of the university community and the surrounding neighbourhood.
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“This is a community of more than 40,000 people which is a significant population. People from the neighbouring communities also come here to access banking services. Our staff will be available to resolve customer service issues promptly, attend to complaints and provide assistance with the various services customers would ordinarily receive in a conventional banking branch,” he said.
On his own, the Vice-Chancellor of the University expressed concerns over the security situation and possible vandalism challenges.
“Before now, we did not have a proper commercial banking facility on campus. However, with the establishment of this digital experience centre, our students and staff will begin to enjoy international-standard banking services within the university.
“This development will make a significant difference because as we all know, our students are very digitally savvy. They will benefit immensely from the facility, which will enhance their overall learning experience, campus life and access to banking services.
“From what I have seen today, this is a facility our students genuinely need. It provides a one-stop banking solution where they can open accounts, obtain ATM cards, deposit and withdraw money and access other services 24 hours a day,” he said.
Enumerating the possible challenges, he said: “Some of the challenges we envisage include security concerns and possible vandalism. However, we are taking proactive measures to address the issues.
“The bank and the university management have already put mechanisms in place to provide round-the-clock security surveillance and protect the investment,” he said.
