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Minister Lalanne commend banks on continuous effort to improve services

February 20, 2019

Staff recruitment, improve better service being provided to clients, new technologies,Small Medium Enterprise loans are some of the points discussed during Mr. Maurice Loustau Lalanne's induction visit to three (3) banks; the Mauritius Commercial Bank, the Seychelles Commecial bank and the Bank of Baroda earlier this week. The Minister for Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning said that he is satisfied with the quality of service being offered by the banks and commended the continuos effort being done to provide a better service to customers.

Starting his visit at the MCB, Minister Lalanne toured the offices at Caravelle House and exchanged views with the staff. The Managing Director of the MCB, Bernard Jackson, pointed out that the bank is always looking at ways to improve the quality of its services, noting that they have now introduced Juice, a system that allows easy access and manage accounts and cards anywhere, anytime. Mr Jackson noted that MCB's credit is good and that they are constantly assessing it. During a briefing with the Mangment of the bank, it was pointed out that there is a need to have more education in financial crimes; the need to protect the bank, its interrest and clients against frauds. Minister Lalanne noted that MC has contributed a lot to Seychelles.

Moving on to the Bank of Barodoa, the delegation was again given a tour of the offices, and discussed with staff on various issues. The bank of Baroda is one of the smallest bank in Seychelles with a total of 11, 000 clients. Over 600 new accounts were opened recently, and the bank's Chief Executive, Ashok Kumar informed the delegation that a new ATM will be installed and functional in March of this year. To note, Bank of Baroda is the only bank in Seychelles, which is not providing ATM machines. Minister Lalanne queried about the SME loans and was told that there were three (3) for this year. Among other issues discussed were the need to better prepare clients requesting loans, and advise them more., need to improve data collection.

The last leg of the visit, ended at the Seychelles Commercial Bank; with a tour of the offices by the Managing Director, Annie Vidot and other senior members of the SCB. Mrs Vidot, spoke about the lack of space. Among the issues discussed during the visit were the need to continuosly upgrade the services provided, the new move to introduce international banking cards, efforts being made to bring services closer to its clients, ebanking, website and the fact that SCB has almost completed its internet banking system, to name a few. The SCB has 52, 000 clients, and Mrs Vidot emphasised that there is a need to educate clients on proper use of ATMs and its functions. She noted that much needs to be done to  change people's mindset in opting for e-banking, ATMs so as to reduce the long queues at the Bank. 

Minister Lalanne noted and commended the efforts that the three banks are doing to improve their services and emphasised the importance for clients honour their commitments with the banks and repay their loans.

Minister Lalanne was accompanied on this visit by the Secretary of State, also the Chairman of the SCB, Patrick Payet, Principal Secretary for Finance, Damien Thesee, Special Advisor, Sitna Cesar.

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