By KENNEDY MUPESENI  –
BARCLAYS Bank Zambia Plc has launched the ‘Ignition Account’, a new transactional account tailored to suit the needs of students in tertiary institutions in Zambia.
In a statement at the weekend, Barclays Bank managing director, Saviour Chibiya said the launch of the student account will provide youths aged 18 to 25 years with tailored and affordable banking services that suit their needs.
“At Barclays Bank Zambia, we believe that it is important for us to establish a lasting relationship with our customers at an early stage of their lives.
“Today, we are proud to launch the Ignition Account, which provides students aged between 18 to 25 years who are in universities and colleges with access to formal banking services for them to be empowered, financially included, independent and able to access economic opportunities in the long term,” Mr Chibiya stated.
The student account, will offer students a wide range of value-added benefits from the bank’s alliance partners, ranging from stationery and fast-food to cinema and airtime.
The Ignition Account demonstrates the bank’s commitment to providing the next generation customers with services that offer them the convenience and flexibility to transact while enjoying the associated benefits from both Barclays Bank Zambia and alliance partners.
The Ignition Account will include zero minimum balance, two free monthly debit transactions with no monthly fees provided customers only make two debit transactions in a month.
But clients would be charged a monthly bundled fee of K20 if they exceed two debit transactions in a month.
Mr Chibiya  said customers  with this account would  be enjoying free mobile and internet banking while benefiting from  specials and discounts on various products and services including books, clothing and airtime, will be on offer from Book World, Freshview Cinemas, Subway and Pizza hut.
Other benefits would include cash back on Point of Sale which would enable customers to withdraw cash within Shoprite or Pick N Pay after a transaction at no cost.
Clients will be able to pay for goods and services using the Barclays machines at no cost and deposit cash using Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
They would be provided with the Chip and Pin cards which is a secure payment platform to facilitate purchases online and at any merchant stores.