Elizabeth Chukwuma
In spite of the fact that Money Deposit Banks, MDBs, have intensified their marketing strategy to attract more depositors to beef up their financial base, United Bank for Africa, UBA, Plc, a Pa African Bank, appear to have devised ways of rewarding their Customers in this try trying and difficult times in the country as a result of the Wuhan Town in Hebei Province of China emerged Coronavirus, popular, COVID 19.
The MDB, was said to have rewarded 100 loyal customers with N100,000.00 each in its recent ‘’Bumper account draw’’. According to insider sources, the draw, was held at the Bank Head office, Marina, Lagos, on Tuesday, May 5,2020.
Given the bank Compliance to the Nigerian Center For Disease Control, NCDC, under the close watch of Chkwe Ihekweazu, and the World Health Organisation, WHO, which is a United Nation’s UN, health agency, on Social distancing, regulations, the draw was said to have been held via its Facebook platform. Eye witness account said more than 100 Customers had emerged winners through a transparent draw.
The winners were said to have been contacted on phone and had agreed that the N10m set aside for the draw was timely and would go a long way in assisting them in this hard times. Jude Anele, UBA, Group Head, Consumer and Retail Banking, who could not hide his feelings about the success of the Bumper Harvest draw was very happy that the bank could put smiles on the faces of100 customers at this critical time when the means of livelihoods of many Nigerians are being threatened by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“These are difficult times indeed with little to cheer about because people are going through trying times. However, for us in UBA, we want our customers to know that we care for them in these trying times, that is why we have taken it upon ourselves to reward those that have kept our business going with their loyalty’’, he had said.
He believes that with the reward, the Customers would be encouraged ‘’to stay happy and safe even as they continue to aim for their dream regardless of the present challenges’’
An elated Anele, noted that the draw was in line with the bank’s mission of creating superior value for the stakeholders while encouraging saving cultures among Nigerians, he disclosed that the bank had in the recent times deepened its focus on the most important aspect of its business which are “the customers we serve’’. This may have informed why the bank had made huge investment in technology to make banking easier and seamless across all its product channels as it had introduced the Bumper Account, which had the customers in mind in order to deliver improved value to them.
While explaining the modalities for the draw, an elated Anele disclosed that all what the new and existing customers need do to qualify for the draw is to ensure that ‘’they have a minimum deposit of N5,000 in their UBA Bumper Account’’. He gave an insight on how “current UBA customers’’ could migrate to Bumper Account by dialing *919*20*1# whilst potential customers should dial *919*20# if interested in opening a UBA Bumper Account,” .
Note that in the first draw which was held during the official launch of the Bumper Account in Lagos, a total of 100 customers emerged winners to the Bumper to Bumper Crooner. Wande Coal serenaded guests with his famous hit songs to the delight of all present.
Michelle Nwoga, Group Head, Marketing and Customer Experience, corroborated Anele’s claims that the Bumper account was created specifically with the customer in mind, stressing that UBA truly puts its customers first and will stop at nothing to ensure they have the right solutions to support their needs. “We are committed to delivering exceptional services and will always seek to excite our customers at every interaction. We back our words with action and that is why a total of 100 customers emerged winners at the last draw which also took place here,” she said.
She disclosed that a monthly shopping allowance of N100,000.00 for a year is also up for grabs. “No fewer than 5 account holders will get a whopping N2 million each across all participating regions every quarter. This account is open to both existing and new customers of the bank who save a minimum of N5,000,” Nwoga added.
Mafulul Emmanuel King, one of the winners of the Bumper draw could not hide his feelings when contacted on phone. “I am still very amazed. I never knew I could be that lucky to win. All my life, I have never won anything like this, and I am very happy that I won this time around. What a time to be lucky than now when this Coronavirus Pandemic has affected my business severely. You can’t imagine how relieved and delighted I am. God bless UBA, the Management Team and the Staff,” he remarked.
Bello Aishat, another winner, who could not believe it when she was contacted screamed “you don’t know what this means to me at this very difficult time! This bank keeps touching and supporting lives the same way they had supported both the federal and state governments and some African countries with a whooping N5billion to curb the spread of COVID 19. “I am convinced now that UBA truly cares and I am proud to bank with the pan African bank. Thank you so much, you have touched my life beyond words at a trying time,” she further remarked.
