All articles by Meghna Mukerjee
Meghna Mukerjee
KeyBank re-launches website
KeyCorp, the 17th largest retail bank in the US by deposits, has re-launched its website with the aim of strengthening its connection to its clients. The re-launch represents the first major redesign for KeyBanks website, www.key.com, since its debut 15 years ago. Director of integrated channel management for KeyBank, Dean Kontul, said, With people spending more time online than ever before, key.com is in many ways our front door to the bank so it just makes sense that we have made the site more welcoming and user-friendly.
Pygg uses Twitter to enable money transfers
Pygg, an Australian technology start-up that enables users to transfer money to each other through Twitter, has launched. Australian bank account holders can create and use Pygg accounts that are topped up using credit cards or PayPal. Customers in Australia can make small payments to other Pygg account holders through Twitter by including the @pygg handle, the username of the recipient and the amount to be transferred in tweets.
Citi launches One Bill service in Russia for automatic payment of utility bills
Citibank launched One Bill service in Russia that will enable Citi customers to automatically pay all of their utility bills with no commission. One Bill will enable Citi customers to pay their utility bills on Moscow real estate along with the city landline telephone (MGTS), and electricity bills from OAO Mosenergosbyt, by automatic charges of respective bill sums to Citi credit or debit cards.
Facebook extends virtual currency reach
Facebook plans to extend the reach its virtual currency and test Credits outside of the social network by teaming up with developers. By letting developers offer Credits on websites, Facebook can offer a more unified app experience to users beyond apps on Facebook, according to Facebook. Facebook developers blog states that gaming portal GameHouse is trialling the system for Collapse! Blast and players will pay for the game using Facebook Credits instead of the normal options of cards and PayPal.
Barclays sells Russian retail and commercial units
Barclays has announced the sale of its Russian retail and commercial operations to investors including one of Russias leading bankers Igor Kim. Under the terms of the sale, the purchasers will have the right to continue to use the Barclays name in connection with the acquired business for a transitional period of up to nine months. Barclays had announced plans of selling its Russian retail and commercial operations on 15 February.
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Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan to launch 25 new branches across Pakistan
Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan (DIBPL) is planning to open 25 new branches across Pakistan, within the next one year. DIBPL started operation in Pakistan in 2006 and has 72 branches in Pakistan already. The 25 new branches in Pakistan are part of a major branch-expansion initiative by DIBPL.
Nationwide partners with IBM to give online bank an overhaul
Nationwide Building Society, the UKs largest building society by assets, has partnered with IBM, US-headquartered multinational technology and consulting company, to launch a new internet bank, with the aim of providing an improved banking experience to customers with new functionality and interactive features. Among the new features is a spending graph that will allow Nationwide customers to compare their income against expenditure. Customers will also be able to see a calendar view of their transactions and account statements through the new Nationwide online banking system.
The Co-operative Bank launches £200 current-account switch incentive
The Co-operative Bank has launched a new limited offer giving a £200 incentive to customers who switch their main current account to The Co-operative Bank. The Co-operative Bank offer follows Spanish lender Santanders incentive, offering up to £300 to customers who switch their main current account to Santander. The offer has been open since 17 October to any new or existing current account customers with The Co-operative Bank.
CreditBank ramps up risk strategy
In a congested retail banking market in Lebanon, CreditBank is trying to stay ahead of its competition by upping its investment in risk analysis. CreditBanks deputy general manager for retail operations, Elie Khoury, and head of retail operations, Hanadi Saad, discuss the banks retail priorities with Meghna Mukerjee
ING Express: thinking outside the box
ING has launched ING Express a mobile branch in the Netherlands that integrates an operational office with a coffee bar a new take on the mobile bank branch. Leendert Tange, co-founder of design agency Storeage and Peter van der Werf, manager for formula management at ING, discuss the initiative with Meghna Mukerjee.