Western Union announces 24 hours services on all Ecobank Nigeria ATMs

Posted by African Examiner Business News, Latest Headlines Thursday, March 20th, 2014

Kayode Adelowokan, Lagos

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a leader in global payment services, and Ecobank Nigeria Ltd, an affiliate of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the leading financial services group in sub-Saharan Africa, has announced that customers can now conduct Western Union Account Based Money Transfer (ABMT) Services using any Ecobank Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in Nigeria.

The group disclosed this in a press statement that the development will enable Ecobank customers to have access to Western Union’s services using their Ecobank debit card in addition to the already existing Ecobank internet portal “ecobank.com”.

To access this service, the statement stressed that customers are expected to visit Ecobank Nigeria ATMs, insert their debit card, select ‘Western Union’, and follow through the easy steps to complete a transaction. A Western Union customer with an account in Ecobank can now access Western Union’s Money Transfer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

According to the Deputy Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Anthony Okpanachi, stated that “Ecobank & Western Union have leveraged technology to the advantage of their mutual customers. This will also encourage the financially excluded to maintain bank accounts with Ecobank, as Ecobank is the first to offer such an innovative and convenient banking service in Nigeria.”

Also, Regional Vice President Africa, Western Union, Aida Diarra, said “Western Union values its collaboration with Ecobank which is growing consumer-driven solutions through digital applications across the continent. This development further promotes financial inclusion which is in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Cashless policy.”

Diarra, further commented that financial services industry in the country is a major driver of Africa’s economic growth where Ecobank and Western Union will play a pivotal role by moving money across the continent in innovative and cost-effective ways.