iPad most popular on FNB platform

2012-10-24 11:00

The iPad Mini is shown in San Jose, California. (Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP)

Duncan Alfreds

Cape Town - The Apple iPad has emerged as the most popular device sold on First National Bank's online platform.

The Apple device is offered with a range of tablets, computers and smartphones and FNB has sold in excess of 100 000 since launching the platform.

An FNB representative told News24 that other brands had also found favour with consumers who must have FNB cheque accounts to access the devices.

Part of the success of the platform is due to the fact that the gadgets are offered with no interest charged over two years.

"We understand that these devices provide the technology and platform for customers to do more electronic banking. This is cheaper and more convenient for the customer, and more cost effective for the bank as well," said Kartik Mistry, head of Smart Device Products at FNB Core Banking Solutions.

Online

Apple released the fourth generation iPad and the smaller iPad Mini in the US on Tuesday and some analysts are expecting that it will sell 10 million before the end of the year, despite seeing the Mini as a defensive move.

Rivals such as Samsung and Amazon already have smaller tablets and Apple will move swiftly to try and negate the advantage in the niche.

The bank is pushing for customers to use online banking platforms on smart devices as has offered a discount of R50 or R100 off their monthly smart device repayment if customers use credit facilities, subject to conditions.

"Our aim is to make electronic banking conveniently accessible to all our customers and to reward them for using those electronic banking and transaction methods," Mistry said.

FNB will open a new walk-in store in addition to the one in Gauteng where customers can buy the devices before the end of 2012.

"We will be opening dotFNB KZN during the first week in December 2012 and dotFNB Cape Town during the first quarter, 2013," said Mistry.


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