Airtel and Chase Bank launch new VISA Debit Card for Airtel Money users

By Standard Reporter

Airtel Kenya has partnered with leading global payments technology company VISA and the best SME bank in Kenya, Chase Bank to provide its Airtel Money subscribers in Kenya with a new Airtel Money Visa card. 

The Airtel Money VISA card will allow Airtel money users to withdraw money from their Airtel Money accounts from over two million Visa and Kenswitch ATMs worldwide, shop and pay for goods and services using Airtel Money at tens of millions of Visa accepted merchants worldwide.         

Airtel customers can apply for the Airtel Money VISA Card by filling an application form available at Airtel Xpress Plus shops or Chase Bank Branches in the country. One can also apply for the card by using the short code *222*3#.  

Airtel Kenya Managing Director Shivan Bhargava explained the significance of this partnership, underscoring its timeliness and the significant role it will play in enhancing the experience and convenience on the company’s mobile money and banking services and ensure that subscribers from both companies get added value. 

“We are committed to nurturing strategic partnerships that provide innovative solutions that meet the ever changing needs of our customers. Through these partnerships, Airtel will deliver relevant and innovative mobile solutions to help customers overcome their daily challenges.” said Bhargava.

Chase bank, which was voted the Best SME Bank 2013 from Global Financial Markets Awards & Think Business Kenya, will be linked to Airtel Money to enable customers to access over 10,000 Visa merchants and more than 5,000 Visa and kenswitch accepted ATMs where they will either be able to make purchases or withdraw cash via Airtel Money.

Speaking at the event, Chase Bank Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Paul Njaga, said the bank understands that customers have busy lifestyles and will focus on quick turnaround solutions that respond to their ever-changing needs.

“We are pleased to partner with Airtel and Visa to offer an innovative and value proposition card to our customers. At Chase Bank, we strive to provide consumer-centric banking services evident in our broad gamut of unrivaled products and services. We are taking a strategic relationship with Airtel and Visa where we can offer Airtel subscribers convenience and flexibility. The launch of this Airtel Money debit card is a way to demonstrate our commitment in listening to customers’ ever-changing needs.”

Visa’s Head of Emerging Products and Innovation for Africa, Dougie Henderson said that the strategic partnership with Airtel and Chase Bank had brought benefits of electronic payments to the under banked in Kenya by being innovative in mobile money services.

“As a global payments technology company, we see one of the most valuable contributions we can make as helping to bring more people into the formal financial system. We do so by creating pathways to financial inclusion for the financially underserved through our products, services, technology, and payments expertise and our strategic partnerships,” said Henderson. 

The partnership will also increase accessibility of Airtel Money to our customers throughout Kenya.

Airtel ventured into the local mobile commerce business three years ago and also provides e-commerce solutions including online payments, online banking, utility bill payments for electricity, DSTV, and water. Airtel Money currently has a vast dealer network of more than 15,000 active agents which include banks, bank agents, supermarket chains and Posta outlets.

 Caption: Airtel Kenya Managing Director Shivan Bhargava (second from left), Visa’s Head of Emerging Products & Innovation for Africa, Dougie Henderson (first from right) and Chase Bank Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Paul Njaga (first from left) and Teacher Wanjiku, the Airtel Money Ambassador officially unveiling the Airtel Money Visa Card at a hotel in Nairobi.