Bank launches data-free access service

MASERU-Standard Lesotho Bank has launched a data-free access service on the Standard Bank App and Internet Banking platforms in an effort to promote social distancing in the wake of the deadly Coronavirus.

This means that Standard Lesotho Bank clients who are Vodacom Lesotho subscribers will be able to access both the Standard Bank App and Internet Banking at no cost.
Standard Lesotho Bank will now bear the cost of data on behalf of its clients.
This development is in response to a call by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Health to adopt ‘social distancing,’ as a means to combat and flatten the curve in the spread of COVID-19.

Registered clients on Standard Bank App and Internet Banking can now enjoy this data-free benefit.
Meanwhile, clients who are not registered on the Standard Bank App and Internet Banking are encouraged to visit the nearest branch or contact their banker for registration.
Thereafter they can download the Standard Bank/Stanbic App on PlayStore or AppStore to join over 70 percent of clients who are already enjoying data-free online banking.
Once registered, clients will then have access to the bank’s services at their convenience.

“We are extremely delighted to introduce this development during such a critical time when we are facing the COVID-19 global outbreak,” the bank’s statement reads.
“This new offering comes at a time when we, as the Standard Lesotho Bank are encouraging clients to reduce instances of going into branches and ATMs, in order to encourage social distancing, to help reduce the potential threat of coronavirus spread, which has now been declared as a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation,” Selloane Tsike, Head of Personal and Business Banking, said.

Tsike encouraged all Standard Lesotho Bank clients to take advantage of this data-free offer and urged them to make it a habit to use the Standard Bank App and Internet Banking.
The two platforms are convenient as they are available 24/7 on both channels.
Reverse Data Billing currently applies to Vodacom subscribers only.

Plans are said to be at an advanced stage to also provide this service to Econet Telecom Lesotho subscribers.

Lemohang Rakotsoane