APNA becomes the first Microfinance bank to sign UPayments, a USSD based mobile banking platform by Ufone. After signing major banks of the country, UPayments has now tapped into Microfinance Banking sector, consequently allowing APNA Bank customers to avail the convenience and user-friendly facility of M-Banking. With this option, APNA bank customers can utilize banking services without visiting bank branches.
Exploiting the advantage of this beneficial service, APNA Bank would be able to provide free local fund transfer, whereby two account holders of APNA bank can transfer funds with no cost. Via this technology, customers can also pay utility bills, Ufone prepaid and postpaid payments and IBFT, with more transactions to be added soon. The communication is real-time and session-based, hence completely secure and reliable. Another exciting highlight is that this facility can be used even from outside Pakistan. The usage of this service is absolutely free for the end user, even while roaming. Currently this facility supports basic transactions, with APNA bank planning to explore branchless banking options in near future.
Powered by IRIS, a multi-channel switch by TPS, UPayments is a secure platform that provides funds transfer and bill payment facilities. It has no restriction on the type of mobile used by the customer as USSD technology is available on all GSM mobile phones.
“APNA Bank seeks to improve facilities for its customers and provide easier access to banking. Rather than visiting branches, customers of APNA bank can now bank from the comfort of their homes and offices anytime they want.” – M. Saleem Shaikh, President and CEO – APNA Microfinance Bank
“UPayments is committed to make banking easier for people of all income groups. With APNA Bank we can serve a wider spectrum of customers with simpler and convenient mobile banking.”- Noman Azhar, Head MFS – Ufone
“Microfinance banks serve a very important segment of banking population and it is a good omen to see APNA Bank joining UPayments mobile banking platform. TPS aims at improving banking technology and we continue that trend for mobile banking in Pakistan.” – Shahzad Shahid, CEO, TPS
Excellent Venture