By Prince Osuagwu

It appears no bank wants to be left behind as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, piles pressure for a cashless Nigeria. Almost every bank in the country comes out weekly with different types of solutions and applications that would give leeway to the cashless project.

Last week, it was Skye Bank, that dragged the who is who in the banking and financial sector to Oriental Hotels, Lagos, to introduce its latest offering ‘SkyePLus’ in the quest to go fully cashless.

The bank said it has underscored the importance of deploying innovative technology to provide secured and more convenient direct banking solution to its customers.

Deliberately, the bank chose the day of its 8th Annual General Meeting, AGM, to unveil the direct banking solution

The banking platform offers the bank existing and prospective customers a myriad of services for convenient, easier and more secure and faster transactions. It allows customers to check their balance and manage their account; set up standing order instructions and Direct Debits; transfer money, pay bills to people instantly; request for a new checkbook, Automated Teller machine card or bank draft; stop lost or stolen cheque and hotlist Debit Cards; as well as switching on text alerts to keep track of their accounts on the move.

Speaking at the unveiling of the product, the Chairman, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Olatunde Ayeni, said the bank had remained ahead in the area of deploying the right technology to engender seamless and flexible banking transactions for Nigeria.

According to him, “We deploy technology as best as we can, because we believe that banking today and tomorrow will continue to be dependent on technology. It is our belief that we need to deploy technology to be able to grow our economy as part of member of Information and Communication Technology-driven global economy.”

Ayeni added that the process leading to the launch of SkeyPlus took more than 18 months to ensure a robust and secure platform.

“We will continue to make our customers enjoy the best and innovative technology means and applications that make them enjoy banking services in a more convenient and efficient way,” he said.

Corroborating Ayeni, Chief Executive Officer designate, Skye Bank, Mr. Thymothy Oguntayo, said the deployment of the new platforms was informed by the need to ensure a flexible and convenient banking solution for the bank customers using SMS, the Internet and mobile applications.

He explained that in terms of security, the bank has deployed top security measure tagged ‘SkyeSecure’ to enhance the security of the platform.