By Nkiruka Nnorom

Standard Chartered Bank has announced plans to launch its newest mobile and online banking platform to one million clients across eight African markets. After the roll out to Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe in the first half of 2016, the bank will launch fingerprint recognition technology in Botswana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe for the firs time later in the year, giving clients a more secure and convenient way to log in to their accounts. In Nigeria and Ghana, mobile banking clients will move to the bank’s standard global platform.

Supported by the bank’s global-standard technology, clients will enjoy a consistent online experience across laptops, tablets or mobile phones, and the convenience of banking from the location of their choice. Clients will be able to check balances, transfer money and pay bills securely, all through their smartphones using the mobile banking app.

“We’re bringing the best in mobile banking to Africa; consumers across the continent are increasingly affluent and tech-savvy and they want convenient access to their bank, wherever thy happen to be,” said Karen Fawcett, Standard Chartered’s CEO for Retail Banking.

“We are committed to making banking easier, faster and safer for our more than one million retail clients across Africa,” commented Jaydeep Gupta, Standard Chartered’s regional head of Retail Banking for Africa and the Middle East.

Commenting, Bola Adesola, Standard Chartered’s CEO for Nigeria and West Africa 1, added, ‘We are reiterating our commitment to our clients to provide the best in-class services and solutions for their banking needs.