With the ongoing global pandemic affecting businesses the world over, Wema Bank, Nigeria’s most innovative bank has launched a Self Service banking platform for customers.

The new Self Service banking feature, which is hosted on the bank’s digital platform, ALAT, uses an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) to generate information for customers and help them perform other banking needs. Customers can confirm account balance, resolve account security issues and check their financial statements in varying period stretches.

Issues around failed, delayed or non-reflecting transactions, app sign-up and login issues and other account-related matters can also be resolved using the platform.

Managing Director and CEO, Wema Bank, Ademola Adebise explained that “This in no way should impale on customer’s ability to carry out their banking transactions.”

“With the launch of ALAT in 2017 being a solution to a problem of the future, it seems that that future is now. Wema Bank customers who have signed up on ALAT can now resolve their regularly encountered issues with the novel and incredibly easy self-service feature,” he added.

The launch of ALAT self-service comes at a key period when responses to customers’ call might be delayed as some of the bank’s staff in COVID-19 affected states have been forced to work from home.

With the new solution, customers can now handle minor personal banking issues without contacting Purple Connect, the bank’s Call Centre, as well as save themselves from the stress of visiting the banking halls.

Further speaking, Head, Brand and Marketing Communications, Wema Bank, Mrs. Funmilayo Falola obliged the bank’s customers saying “the ongoing pandemic calls for responsibility from all of us. We are the solution and it is our duty to adhere to instructions from the government and medical experts during this period.”

Mrs Falola urged customers and the public to stay at home and observe hygienic habits as we wait out the worst of the pandemic. She informed customers that the bank is committed to optimizing all of its available alternative banking solutions to support them this trying time.

Recall that Wema Bank recently donated relief materials as a palliative to help cushion the effects of the lockdown rule in states affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation, which included, bags of rice, cartons of vegetable oil and noodles, is part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility as the bank looks to support the effort of government in fighting the virus.

As part of the activities to celebrate its 75th anniversary, Wema Bank, the custodian of Africa’s first fully digital bank – ALAT – and one of Nigeria’s leading commercial banks has introduced an Earn-from-Home scheme.

Celebrated as Nigeria’s most innovative financial institution, Wema Bank has achieved tremendous success over the years from its willingness to reinvent the narrative in the delivery of financial services and experiential banking to its customers.

In this light, the bank has launched the scheme to reward loyal customers with an opportunity to earn extra income. This is coming at a time when the crippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are being felt by individuals and corporate organizations locally and globally.

This is in furtherance of the bank’s long history of socially responsible projects and is both timely and sensitive as it creates an alternative stream of income for its customers at a time when income channels are drying up.

According to the Head, Retail Banking, Wema Bank, Mr Dotun Ifebogun, “we believe this will empower our transacting customers to effectively leverage on the current lockdown situation and earn while at home by recommending the ALAT App to economically active family members and friends within their social network.”

In addition to the “earn from home” programme, the bank will also host Hackaholics 2.0, a 2-day hackathon and a tech fair event. Set up to promote the development of technological solutions for financial and institutional need and other social issues, Hackaholics was postponed for a later date following the coronavirus pandemic. Themed ‘Connecting Worlds’, the hackathon will bring developers, designers and creative thinkers together to develop products and discover new technologies.

“At 75, Wema Bank sees no limit to the magic she can create, no walls to the relationships she can forge, no barriers to the excellence of service, and no impossibilities in building the bank of the future,” Mr Ifebogun added.

Wema Bank, Nigeria’s most innovative bank, is marking its 75th anniversary on May 2, 2020. Alongside the bank’s anniversary, ALAT, the bank’s digital banking platform is also celebrating its third anniversary since its launch in 2017.

The bank will be celebrating with a series of marketing efforts throughout the year as it looks to introduce fresh banking services and reward customers for their loyalty over the years.

Established in 1945 by the Agbonmagbe Bank to serve the old Western region, Wema Bank has grown to become Nigeria’s most innovative bank, gaining national status with over 150 branches nationwide.

“Our mission has not changed from that of our founders in 1945,” MD/CEO Ademola Adebise said in a statement.

“We are still passionate about supporting the personal and business needs of our customers both in rural communities and in the big cities. In some communities, we are proud to say we are the only bank in town.”

“We have also been strategic in our drive to provide refreshing banking services by leveraging technology to meet the needs of tomorrow’s businesses today. We have personalised banking with ALAT and today, we take pride in the fact that we are building a bank for the future.”

As part of the activities to mark its 75th anniversary, Wema Bank has launched a new website to support the financial needs of customers in a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has led many into banking from home.
The new website offers easy navigation and better functionality for the bank’s customers, and also demonstrates the personalised experience that customers will enjoy throughout their journey with the bank.

Also, the bank is rewarding loyal customers with an opportunity to earn from home as a means to reduce the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is in furtherance of the bank’s long history of socially responsible projects and is both timely and sensitive as it creates an alternative stream of income for its customers at a time when income channels are drying up.

According to the Head, Retail Banking, Wema Bank, Mr Dotun Ifebogun, “At 75, Wema Bank sees no limit to the magic she can create, no walls to the relationships she can forge, no barriers to the excellence of service, and no impossibilities in building the bank of the future.”

Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT by Wema, celebrates 3 years of making magic. To mark this feat, it will also be hosting an online party on its Instagram Live on Saturday, May 2, 2020.
ALAT has strategically positioned itself as a fast, reliable and convenient banking solution and will continue to align itself with evolving user habits and preferences, especially when users are quickly adjusting to a world where speed, efficiency and multiplicity will be the new normal.

Known for reinventing the narrative in the delivery of financial services and experiential banking in Africa, ALAT will continue to model the future of banking by empowering users with requisite financial information and capabilities to transact at the push of a button.

Commenting on the anniversary, Deputy Managing Director, Moruf Oseni, said, “Pioneering Africa’s first fully digital bank was a feat which remains fresh in our minds. We are very grateful to all our investors and partners for the critical role they played, their unflinching support, and unwavering trust in the brand. Three years on, we remain dedicated to optimizing users’ experiences, and delivering user-centred and personalized financial services; inspired by our core principles of innovation and resilience.”

With ALAT, banking has now become an enjoyable experience as you can make financial transactions from the comfort of your home or anywhere you are. You get to open an account without visiting a branch, adopt a savings culture with exciting automated savings options, pay for items online on any website, buy discounted movies and events tickets, special deals at select partners, and salary loans with friendly interest rates.
The future of banking is one where banks will no longer be a place to visit, but an experience to be had and enjoyed. With ALAT by Wema, the future is here.

Wema Bank Plc has made a financial donation to the Lagos State Government as part of its contribution to the victims of the recent pipeline explosion in Abule Ado community of Lagos State.

Accompanied by senior executive staff, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Wema Bank Plc, Ademola Adebise made the donation during a visit to the Lagos State Government House, Ikeja on Friday, March 20, 2020.
Adebise, who commended the state government for taking rapid efforts in providing relief for the victims of the tragic incidence, said it was necessary for the bank to support the effort of the government.

In his words, “while our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, those who lost their lives and those recuperating in the hospitals, we commiserate with them and have decided to contribute to the fund set up by the Lagos state government to help ameliorate the extent of damages caused by the explosion.”

In his response, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in thanking the bank for donating to the fund, commended its passion for socially responsible gestures and consistency in delivering digital-led solutions to individuals and businesses in the state.

Recall that on Monday, Mr Sanwo-Olu, while addressing journalists at the explosion site, revealed that a N2billion Abule Ado/Soba Emergency Relief Fund has been set up for victims of the explosion. He further solicited for support from all Nigerians including the private sector after disclosing that the state government had made an initial donation of N250 million to the fund.

Wema Bank, Nigeria’s leading innovative bank, has taken precautionary measures to ensure the protection of staff, customers and other stakeholders as Nigeria records increased cases of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19).
To ensure the continuity of businesses and economic activities with minimal effect from the pandemic, the bank has ensured that everyone visiting any of its branches takes a temperature test, makes use of hand sanitizers and maintains social distance.

Head of Brand and Marketing Communications, Wema Bank, Mrs Funmilayo Falola, said: “We are advising customers to refrain from visiting any of our branches during this period and make use of our digital banking platform, ALAT.”
“With ALAT, they can pay bills, buy airtime and data to make calls and stay online. They can also pay for their Cable TV subscription to stay informed during this period.”

Mrs Falola also noted that the refreshing banking app allows customers to subscribe to Netflix, iTunes and EA Sports games to keep themselves active in the event of widespread isolation.
She also noted that customers can make cashless transactions such as funds transfers, bill payments, airtime and data recharge and much more using the bank’s USSD service, *945#.

In a bid to sensitize the public about the spread of the virus, Mrs Falola added that: “We have increased communication across our social media channels on the importance to adopt healthy practices as stipulated by the WHO guidelines and also cancelled all upcoming events, including Hackaholics, the Hackaholics Tech Fair and Songversation with Aramide which were scheduled to hold in April.”

“Measures have also been put in place for the safety and security of members of staff,” she assured.
She advised that for enquiries or issues, customers can contact the bank’s 24-hour contact centre, Purple Connect, on 08039003700, 07000PURPLE, 070022552528 or send an email to purpleconnect@wemabank.com or help@alat.ng.

Wema Bank remains committed to the implementation of a safe working schedule for staff as well as secure banking services to customers, especially as the fight against the spread of the Coronavirus persists.