Airtel Money, KCB launch mobile savings product

With the Airtel-KCB Super Saver Fixed deposit product, customers can now deposit up to sh5m on their Airtel-KCB Super Saver account and earn interest of up to 9%.

The customer doesn’t need to have a KCB account but can simply use their airtel money account to save.

While announcing the new development, Airtel Money managing director, Japheth Aritho said today’s growth and utilisation of digital financial services has influenced the integration and collaboration between telecoms and bank operators for the mutual benefit of the customer.

“With such innovations that offer an improved customer value proposition, customers can enjoy real-time financial solutions and conveniently make transactions anytime, anywhere,” he said.

Aritho equally appreciated KCB Uganda for joining hands with AMCUL in the delivery of this product.

“At AMCUL, our mandate is to offer affordable and borderless transactions in Uganda and across the region via the Airtel Money platform. I, therefore, thank KCB Uganda for accepting to work with us. Thanks to this partnership, customers can save from sh250,000 up to sh5m to earn interest rates of up to 9%. The fixed deposit account will consist of 3, 6, and 12-month investment periods so the customer has enough options to choose from and fix their funds while earning interest of 8%, 8.5%, and 9% respectively,” he added.

Premature termination or withdrawing the fixed amount before the agreed-upon tenure will also earn 3%, 3.5%, and 4% per annum, respectively and no transaction fees will be charged for depositing into or withdrawing from the fixed deposit account.

According to the Bank of Uganda 2020 Financial Capability Survey, only 15% of Ugandans save their money in a deposit-taking financial institution, regulated by the Bank of Uganda. 17% save on their phones using mobile money, up to 44% of the people rely on Village Savings and Loans Associations, while 42% resort to savings boxes at home. As such, this partnership will go a long way in driving financial inclusion in Uganda both for the short and long run.

According to Edgar Byamah, managing director, KCB Bank Uganda, “The Bank of Uganda statistics indicate the need for sustained efforts to invest and introduce innovative mobile-banking solutions. Our Airtel-KCB Super Saver fixed deposit product will support individuals and their businesses to save more, earn returns and make future investments.”

Byamah added: “Digital banking continues to be a game changer in driving digital financial inclusion as demonstrated by the rise in mobile money transactions and increase in the usage of digital solutions over the years. As a solid regional bank, we are always at the forefront of championing such developments in the banking sector and across the regions.”

To access the service, customers will have to dial *185*7*11*1#, choose the fixed deposit option and follow the prompts respectively.