STANDARD Lesotho Bank on Wednesday launched a new mobile branch which is essentially a mobile bank fitted on a truck to help bring banking services closer to Basotho, especially in areas where customers are far from branches.

Known as Se-ea-le-Methati, the new mobile bank provides basic banking services including an ATM to dispense cash, two teller services and customer consultant services that are normally found inside traditional branches.

Se-ea-le-Methati is the first of its kind in the financial services sector and the launch of this facility demonstrates the extent to which Standard Lesotho Bank is committed towards making banking services accessible for Basotho.

The target is to fulfill the bank’s strategic intent of being a customer-centric organisation that puts customers at the centre of everything the bank does.

The mobile truck will also enable the bank to accommodate the overflow at ATMs, especially during peak times. It will also be used to provide services during events and other special occasions in cases where there is a need for physical presence for a bank.

“It is our responsibility to listen to our clients and essentially ensure that they are happy because without them, we cannot exist as the bank. That is the reason we decided to come with this new development which talks directly to the needs of our clients,” acting Head of Marketing, Manyathela Kheleli said during the launch.

Se-ea-le-Methati has rough terrain 4x4 capabilities and this is going to give the bank an opportunity to provide services to undeserved areas in remote parts of the country where it will further facilitate the disbursement of grants for the elderly.

The other main benefit of the new development is that it will provide back-up services for branches for purposes of business continuity where the branches are not able to operate for a variety of reasons.