Customers will be the main beneficiaries of disruption and increased competition in retail banking due to a potential improvement in value and customer service, says Raj Makanjee, CEO of FNB Retail.

“Competition is vital to improving customer centricity in the delivery of banking products and services, especially in a retail banking market where customers expect every rand to generate real value. This is a journey we’ve been on as a bank in our quest to be a trusted money manager and an integrated financial services provider,” he says.

In FNB’s recent annual results, the retail banking division delivered 18% profit growth against the backdrop of a tough economic environment. The bank has disbursed more than R10-billion worth of eBucks while its eWallet recorded 41% growth, surpassing R21-billion in value of money sent in the last 12 months. It also counts 6,1-million active wallets and recently introduced eWallet eXtra mobile bank account which has no monthly account fee, and can be taken up using any cellphone.

In addition, FNB is now the leading retail deposit taker in South Africa with growth coming from both product and banking channel innovation. The bank also reports strong progress in its digital journey with financial transactions on the App growing 65%.

Makanjee says: “Our vision is to be the leading financial services provider that delivers exceptional customer experience and superior value. We are excited by future opportunities across the Transactional, Lending, Invest and Insure areas of our business.

“More importantly, we understand that our success and relevance depends on placing our clients at the centre of everything we do. In line with the realities that characterise our operating context, we continue to invest significantly in our people, systems and infrastructure for better customer experience,” he says.