Lagos, 19 March, 2014 – 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, today announced that customers can now conduct Western Union Account Based Money Transfer (ABMT) Services using any Ecobank Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in Nigeria.
This 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, 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.
Anthony Okpanachi, Deputy Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria 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”.
Aida Diarra, Regional Vice President Africa, Western Union, stated that “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”.
She further commented that “The financial services industry is a major driver of Africa’s economic growth and Ecobank and Western Union play a pivotal role by moving money across the continent in innovative and cost-effective ways.”
