The management of Hope PSBank-a subsidiary of Unified Payment Services Limited and Nigeria’s premier digital-first bank has assured customers-unbanked, underserved and banked of its readiness to deliver seamless digital banking experience to them as part of efforts targeted at promoting and driving financial inclusion in the Nigerian banking ecosystem.
The assurance came during the launch of the company’s brand identity on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, in Lagos following the approval of license as a Payment Service Bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in August 2020.
Speaking at the launch, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, who was represented by the Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Rabiu Olowo commended promoters of Hope PSBank for making the dream of a digital bank a reality, stating that the state government is committed to creating enabling environment for such innovation to thrive.
Also speaking at the event the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, who was represented by Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, described the launch of Hope PSBank as a game-changer in the banking sector that would not only reduce operational cost drastically but also bring about transformation in the banking system
In his opening remarks at the occasion, the Chairman, Hope PSBank, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar described the launch of Hope PSBank as one that would not only revolutionalize the banking sector but help a great deal in shaping and advancing the future for financial services generally in Nigeria.
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Abubakar noted that it was heartwarming that a new bank like Hope PSBank was stepping into the fold to give banking access to millions of Nigerians including those that are unbanked.
He explained that the setting up of the bank was largely driven by the need to ensure that a vast majority of Nigerians have access to financial services.
The bank Chairman noted that its logo represents the optimism and dependability which the brand espouses.
“It is not just semantics that the name of our bank is ‘Hope’, rather this is symbolic as we bring the message of hope to millions of Nigerians that are unbanked or underserved,”, Abubakar explained.
He revealed that the payment service bank offers a unique and unparalleled experience for customers as the wallets/accounts are opened end to end without any human intervention.
Also speaking, the Managing Director, Hope PSBank, Mr. Ayotunde Kuponiyi expressed the company’s aspiration to give hope to Nigerians.
He stated that the bank is ready to redefine financial and payment services by driving inclusion through the leverage of digital technologies.
Kuponiyi added that the setting up of the bank was in line with the objective of the Central Bank of Nigeria to enhance financial inclusion.
“When the inclusion rate in an economy is high, the citizens of that economy will have access to credit/finance, will be able to save, have access to insurance, grow cottage industries, employ more staff, the unemployment rate is reduced, the employment citizens are able to pay tax, the government will have more revenue to provide infrastructure and this will and generally improve the standard of living of the citizens,” he said.
He explained further that beyond financial inclusiveness which the bank hopes to achieve, it would serve as a platform to empower the people with many becoming agents thus leading to job creation and alleviation of poverty.
“We support Medium Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) with our Hope Market Place by giving them an “online real estate” to display their shops thus giving them more visibility and exposing them to more consumers,” Kuponiyi said.
“At Hope PSBank, we have redefined the concept of open banking and the boundaries of competition by offering our unique financial and payment services and solutions to customers of other banks who are not required to open or maintain an account with our bank. All transactions on our platforms are gladly settled into accounts of our community of users and customers with any bank of their choice,” he added.
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According to him, Hope PSBank offers a competitive edge among the lot as it delivers financial services to customers with ease, convenience, affordability and access unhindered.
“This is a bank that leverages technology by bringing financial and payment services as well as tailor-made solutions closer to everyone across different channels regardless of economic or social status and location,” he added.
Also speaking, the Chief Marketing Officer, Hope PSBank, Mrs Kathleen Erhimu said the bank is unique from other players in the market. “ At Hope PSbank, every mobile telephone user an easily enjoy instant digital financial and payment services with his or her phone number as account number and also a means of payment across all channels-person-to-person on personal devices, web, merchants’ points of sale, automated teller machines and agency outlets. No cheque-book is required, no payment card of form factor”.
