MASERU — Nedbank Lesotho yesterday unveiled its latest branch at the Pioneer Shopping Mall in Maseru — the financial institution’s eighth branch in the country.
The branch will offer full banking facilities, in addition to “drop services” whereby clients can deposit money with the bank after hours.
According to Nedbank Lesotho’s head of sales, Fusi Notoane, the branch seeks to bring services closer to the bank’s customers in a “more convenient and relaxed” environment.
“The addition of another branch is meant for the convenience of our customers,” he said.
“We would want to be the bank of choice in Lesotho by offering good services and providing banking solutions to our clients.
“This is testimony to our commitment in the development of the country’s economy, as we have always been supportive of local businesses.”
Nedbank Lesotho provided up M100 million towards the construction of Pioneer Shopping Mall, which is being developed by the local consortium Moruo Development.
The financial institution has also financed some tenants at the mall, according to Nedbank Lesotho’s head of business banking, Tšepo Ntaopane.
“We have also financed some of the businesses here in the mall, such as Pick n Pay, LCS (Life’s Comfort Solutions), KFC, Elegant Ventures and Ocean basket,” he said.
“We also finance any development and businesses through our banking services.”
Meanwhile, Ntaopane said the new branch was also a result of complaints by clients of the inaccessibility and congestion at the bank’s head office along Kingsway Road in the capital.
“Access to banking services at our headquarters was becoming a problem,” he said.
“Here in the mall, there is better access with regards to (car) parking.
“The branch is also near shopping facilities and its general location reduces the security risk of transporting large sums of money by businesses.”
Speaking at the official opening of the branch, Central Bank of Lesotho director (supervision) Gail Makenete urged Basotho to support businesses that continue to invest in the country.
“Services have been taken to the people and I hope Basotho can support the businesses at the mall, in order to grow the economy of the country,” she said.
A tenant at the mall, Lebohang Ramone of Elegant Ventures, said the availability of banking facilities at the mall will “reduce the risk of transferring money to the bank”.
“This is really a welcome relief for both the businesses in the mall and customers, as one can do all business transactions in one place,” he said.
“The risk of handling cash is going to be reduced greatly, as the bank is just a couple of metres from the shops.”
Nedbank Lesotho has branches in Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Maseru, Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek.
The bank started operations in Lesotho in 1997 with three branches and a staff compliment of 50 — which has since swelled to 200 — after acquiring Standard Chartered Bank.
