By KAUSA  MBASELA –
STANBIC Bank has pledged to continue providing innovative financial solutions and making tangible contributions to Zambia’s economy.
The bank has introduced private bankers and relationship managers to provide personalised services in its new Private Banking Suite.
Head Personal and Business Banking Mukwandi Chibesakunda said the bank has provided a tailored service to enhance provision of custom-made solutions as need arises.
She said this during the official opening of the Private Banking Suite in Ndola on Wednesday.
“As a leading player in the country’s financial services sector, we recognise that many of our clients are busy individuals and businesses who require more multifaceted and complex banking solutions to make a quick turn-around.
“In this light we have introduced Private Banking, this provides a tailored service to meet these requirements without compromising on the service to our clients,” she said.
Ms Chibesakunda said that Private Banking clients would have dedicated private bankers and relationship managers assigned to their accounts and act as an internal link to the bank to provide adequate guidance and custom solutions as situations may arise.
“At Stanbic we believe Zambia is our home and we drive her growth. We believe in Zambian businesses, corporates and Small Sale Enterprises (SMEs) as reflected in our investment and loan portfolios.
We continue to invest in Zambian businesses in the area of agriculture, infrastructure development, mining, energy and many others,” she said.
Ms Chibesakunda said the bank’s call centre catered for over 8,000 SMEs to ensures it stays close to its clients.
The opening of the Private Banking Suite in Ndola was meant take services closer customers.
Bank of Zambia (BOZ) northern region director  Fabian Hara recognised the important role that
Stanbic Bank played in the country’s economy through the provision of financial services to key sectors of the economy.
“The bank has been an outstanding partner of the Zambia people since its inception and has been instrumental in the provision of financial products and services tailored to both businesses and individuals alike,” he said.
Mr Hara said the banking sector has to rise to the challenge and transform from the traditional banks’ approach to the provision and delivery of more services.
“Today’s customers are more informed and financially educated, with a hands-on approach to managing their wealth and investments. Private Banking plays a pivotal role in filling a niche in the industry by providing customers with more integrated services,” he said.
He also  appealed to all financial service providers to make meaningful efforts to lower the high cost of banking services in the country, adding that with the recent fall in inflation, BOZ expected interest rates to also show a decline. – Story courtesy of SUMA