Tag Archive for: FNB

Andrew Stegmann
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FNB and Fetola Launch Hotline to Give Entrepreneurs Advice

FNB and Fetola have partnered to launch the Mentor Hotline, a free, rapid response platform that gives entrepreneurs easy access to a variety of industry experts.

The launch of the platform is in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and national lockdown.

The Mentor Hotline pairs entrepreneurs with a network of volunteer specialists, based on the required skill set for the entrepreneur’s specific challenge. It aims to help entrepreneurs to stabilise, identify new growth opportunities and rebuild in the context of radical uncertainty and a challenging economy.

More than 600 businesses on the Mentor Hotline requesting business advice, it is clear that businesses need assistance during these uncertain times.

The hotline will give young entrepreneurs to access technical or specialist advice, draw their attention to common mistakes or pitfalls, or simply act as a sounding board for new ideas.

Mentor Hotline is a simple-to-use online platform that provides support to all business types across South Africa, from small start-ups to established concerns.

The Mentor Hotline, which is owned and fully administered by Fetola, is a complementary service to Fetola’s traditional mentorship service, which focuses on longer-term relationships between entrepreneur and mentor.

Heather Lowe, SME Development Head for FNB Business, describes the pressing need that led to the creation “During the initial Covid-19 lockdown we found that most entrepreneurs were simply overwhelmed by the circumstances they found themselves in”.

“We also found that many experienced entrepreneurs and mentors who were not able to work during the lockdown period were very willing to assist on a pro bono basis to help these other entrepreneurs navigate the direct impact the pandemic had on their businesses. Together with Fetola and other partners we found that we could work collectively to get a very relevant form of help to SMEs during a time when quick actions were of the essence,” added Lowe.

Catherine Wijnberg, Fetola’s Founder and Director, said, “The Mentor Hotline is currently in what we’re calling a ‘beta phase’. Its longevity will be dependent on crafting a model that doesn’t depend entirely on volunteers, and which addresses ongoing needs post-Covid-19. We have been blown away by the sense of wanting to contribute to help others succeed, especially in this time of crisis. Truly shows the incredibly heart-warming quality of our society”.

The current phase of the Mentor Hotline will run until the end of December 2020. For more details, and to access the Mentor Hotline, visit the Fetola website and select “Mentor Hotline” from the top navigation bar.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].

Andrew Stegmann

South African Bank FNB Opens Its Banking App to All Local Consumers

South African financial services provider, FNB has opened up its banking app for all consumers in the country. Through FNB’s AppVenture campaign, all customers regardless of who they currently bank with, will have the opportunity to explore and experience the app’s benefits and features.

Non-FNB customers can stand a chance to win one of two R1 million individual grand prizes, by simply downloading the FNB App and making use of a digital account with no monthly fees to experience the various features of the App. Existing FNB customers are similarly encouraged to experience the breadth of the bank’s technology by participating in AppVenture and can do so by performing their day-to-day banking via the App or using some of the unique features that the FNB App has to offer its customers.

“We are delighted to offer all South Africans the opportunity to experience the benefits of managing their money using our App. While FNB offers several interfaces to consumers, we find that our App is a convenient, safe and cost-effective way for customers to manage their day-to-day banking needs. We are also using this opportunity to help consumers with their savings journey by contributing to the savings goals of those who use our APP over this period,” says Raj Makanjee, Chief Executive of FNB Retail.

 

Amongst other features, FNB says it encourages participants to make use of functionality such as nav» Money which helps customers set and track Savings Goals. Consumers can choose a goal to save for, get a recommended personalised savings solution with the ability to track progress on savings. Users can also track their credit status and get insightful tips on how to manage and improve their credit score.

“We are confident that any consumer can get better value from banking with FNB, which is why we encourage everyone to put us to the test. For the first time in South Africa, any consumer can experience our innovative services that were only available to our customers. This includes real-time account opening, Cardless Cash Withdrawals, Bank Card Management, Geo Payments for direct payments to another FNB App user, eBucks suite of services and app-based instant messaging with our bankers,” adds Christoph Nieuwoudt, CEO of FNB Consumer.

To learn more about FNB and its banking app, visit the bank’s website by clicking here.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].