United Bank for Africa, a leading Pan African bank with operations in 20 countries in Africa has launched a new product, Braille Account, an account for visually impaired individuals. A brilliant initiative that showcases the bank’s belief in equal access to financial services recognizing the need to achieve financial inclusion.
Known for cutting technological infrastructure and pioneer of innovative banking services in Africa, United Bank for Africa is keen to make banking services available to all. Outlining the journey of the product at the launch, Ugo Nwaghodoh, Executive Director, Risk and Finance, said to meet the needs of over 20 million visually impaired customers and overcoming the challenge of involving these set of customers in full banking system, the product was developed.
This innovative product which is first of its kind, was designed to cater to the needs of individuals who are visually impaired with the support of Anglo-Nigerian Welfare Association for the Blind. It is targeted at ensuring the integration of these special individuals into the financial system.
According to Head of sustainability, Mr. Chidozie Ezike, he said the product was developed to lay testimony to United Bank for Africa’s strive for outstanding service to customers. He further said the Braille account rides on existing banking services but with easy access and choice for visually impaired bank customers. According to him, inclusiveness is one of the bank mandates of ESG objectives.
While endorsing the product, Cobhams Asuquo, a Nigeria singer and songwriter, noted that the product is an exhilarating one which has open new doors for visually impaired customers to choose preferred banking service and self-manage their information.
Asuquo said, “UBA has blazed the trail, I am beyond elated, as this new initiative will send a strong note to others to replicate the same feat and make people realise that banking services can and should be done with humanity in mind. Thank you, UBA, for amplifying this much needed cause, I endorse this 100 per cent and I believe it is a much needed first-step that will lead to so many others.”
United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 35,000 employees, group wide and serving over 35 million customers globally. Operating in 20 African countries and in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.
