Standard Chartered Bank said it is introducing video banking for the benefit of some five million of its customers across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Described as the biggest roll-out of its kind by any international bank, the facility allows customers to speak with banking consultants over a secure video connection from a location of their choice using a laptop. The channel allows clients to do almost anything they can do in a branch, from signing up for a new card to finding a mortgage to suit their needs. In selected markets, Priority Banking clients of the bank can use video banking to consult ‘face-to-face’ with investment advisors to explore new wealth management opportunities. The service is already available in Malaysia and Singapore and now it is being launched in Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Taiwan, Kenya and the UAE by the end of 2016. Karen Fawcett, Standard Chartered Bank’s CEO for Retail Banking, said video banking is about giving the bank’s clients more choice and more convenience. Now a customer does not have to come in to a branch to talk to somebody face-to-face and the bank is investing in technology that makes banking secure, simple and personal for our clients, she added. In addition to video, the bank’s retail banking clients will also be able to connect with banking consultants through web chat and audio links on the bank’s website.
