Steward Bank has launched a new service under the name Square Banking which is a culmination of 4 main target areas that are Mobile application, USSD Banking, Telephone Banking and Online Banking.
MOBILE APPLICATION
The mobile application is available for download on Android under the name Steward Bank Mobile Banking and iOS and if you use a Nokia or Blackberry it’s great to know they have you covered as well. With the mobile app you are able to enquire for your balance, get a ‘mini’ statement and even purchase airtime.
Not only can you do all the above but you can also pay your bills for ZESA, DSTV, City Of Harare, ZOL, TelOne and schools as well as make RTGS transactions and ZIPIT. The ZESA loan for prepaid electricity tokens is to the tune of $5 which is enough for an evening of rationed usage I would believe.
The app is zero rated meaning to say you can use it at no cost to your mobile data. Yes even if you have no data you are still able to use the app. By zero rating their app they are using Econet to leverage their mobile banking endeavours which makes me wonder how local banks will feel with their own mobile banking apps not getting zero rating as well.
The application is not yet available on the Apple App Store but a developer from Steward Bank informed us that it should be there by end of day today.
USSD
USSD Banking is being targeted at the population that uses feature phones and basic phones that do not connect to the internet. A good number of Zimbabweans are holding on to their Econet lines because of EcoCash and as it is a second line for this folk it is fitting to buy a phone with just the bare basics to which this service will be of great use. It also offers the slew of services that the mobile app offers and can be accessed by dialing *210#.
TELEPHONE BANKING
Telephone banking makes use of a Steward Bank telephone banking representative who via a voice call can help you in performing banking services. To get this service you need to visit a Steward Bank branch or agent and sign up for it. 08677 004 801 is the number to dial when you want to access this service.
ONLINE BANKING
Online banking is carried out on the Steward Bank Website with all banking services available.
So there you go ladies and gentlemen. The Square Banking is a number of mobile banking services painted under one brand name. It’s interesting how a bank affiliated with a mobile operator took this long to develop its own mobile banking app. How it will change the scope of banking is we know it, well that will be tested on how convenient the service will be as the numbers are already on their side.
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12 comments
“…makes me wonder how local banks will feel with their own mobile banking apps not getting zero rating as well..”
The same banks lm sure were happy to see TN Bank fold before Econet came and bought it. They too should consider being bought by a telco company.
CBZ is gvt owned, TelOne, Telecel, and NetOne are gvt owned telcos, its not hard to see where government can grow its business if they want to emulate the success of Econet/Steward bank.
Guess Windows Mobile is dead many developers stay away from it..
kikikiki
thats not a phone
But quite a number of zimbos use Windows Phone devices and the number is rising because it has become a very good platform lately. They should consider creating an app for them (us) too
Can’t get the app in the Apple Store
Its not there. Tried the whole day
Its good and late coz we been waiting all this while! Tried it out its crashing every time I log in, I registered got my first pin then successfully changed to my own pin.
Still not there on iTunes store
Finally available in the iOS App Store!
However, beware! You will be charged $0.10 for checking your balance, and $0.15 for looking at your mini-statement. I think the charges are because they send you a text message when you check your balance or mini-statement, even though you will have just seen the results on screen!
Oddly you will then also receive a secondary text message informing you of the new balance after the deduction of the balance or mini-statement fee, However, these messages appear to be free.
Sadly the app has no “Settings” so there doesn’t appear to be a way to turn off the expensive and unnecessary text messages! 🙁
Unable to access it with no data or wifi connection so is it really zero rated?
it asks for the last 4 digits of my card and i dont have one, what should i do
Does it work on windows phones?