The National Commercial Bank of Anguilla (NCBA) has introduced a new Visa debit card for online transactions.
Prior to this, the NCBA VISA debit card was limited to making payments for face-to-face transactions only, and did not have the capacity to be used for e-Commerce business.
Over the years, faithful NCBA customers had desired the card’s ability to support the payment of online transactions, instead of just being restricted to spending at points of sale in the localities where the customer was stationed. With the launching of the new card, customers are now relieved.
The e-commerce debit card was launched at a press conference on Wednesday, September 2. The event was moderated by Manager of Projects and Card Services, Ms. Marisa Gumbs, who aptly alluded to the quote: “Customer service is about how you take care of your customer’s needs and help them solve their problems.”
NCBA’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Sharmaine Francois, explained that the new capabilities of the card were well in line with solving customers’ problems, adapting to changes in doing business, especially in the COVID-19 environment: “Today is an exciting day,” she declared. “We are about to launch our international debit card. This has been a work in process for a while, and so we are very happy to be introducing this e-commerce card in this critical current environment.”
With the help of a few slides on the screen, the CEO highlighted the fact that: “The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of business and commerce. The way we work and live is different, and life as we once knew it has changed. The virus has led businesses to expand their digital platforms, and a lot of transactions are now moving from face-to-face to digital payments. We are seeing this in terms of our increased online transactions.
Today, there is global growth in e-commerce sales. From June 2019 to June 2020, e-commerce sales have increased by some 76%, according to data from Digital Commerce 360.”
She then displayed statistics relative to the increase in online business since the onset of COVID-19: “During the second quarter,” she noted, “of every US$5.00 spent by US consumers, US$1.00 was spent via online transactions. Online spending by US consumers, during the COVID-19, pandemic increased by 44%.”
“So NCBA cannot sit back,” the CEO observed. “Although the cost to offer e-commerce services via the debit card is a heavy investment for us – still in the current business environment – it is an investment we had to make. So, we are making it possible for our customers to go online and shop. We do value our customers, and this NCBA Visa card offers them the confidence to shop on a platform that is safe and secure. ”
In closing her presentation, Ms. Francois reminded NCBA’s customers of the bank’s commitment to service: “Your bank is here for you. We plan with you in mind. We are your bank of choice, so stay connected to NCBA.”
The Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Chidi Liburd-Edwards, also expressed much satisfaction with the introduction of the new international e-commerce card: “With the international debit card, we are offering our customers both convenience and security,” she said. “Customers can now use their debit card online wherever Visa cards are accepted. You can now start shopping at your favourite website, whether it is Amazon, Walmart or eBay. You can also pay your utility and other bills online, whether it is FLOW, Digicel or Angles.”
Joining the press conference, via video feed from St. Kitts, was General Manager of the Credit Card Corporation, Mr. Jessel Gadsby. He enlightened the media on certain facets of the card, regarding it as an innovative product that brings convenience, reliability, and security to the way transactions are done today.
Customers holding NCBA Visa debit cards can use them immediately for on-line transactions. Should there be any difficulty with the process, the bank may be contacted at 264-497-2101.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
