Sierra Leone’s leading financial institution, Rokel Commercial Bank (RCBank) has on Tuesday 4 April 2023 given out prizes to the first set of Simkorpor Merchant Services winners at their Charlotte Street Head Office in Freetown.
Babymay Kanu, a staff of Sim Korpor Unit and charged with the responsibility of coordinating Merchant Activities, in her welcoming address, said that they are happy to give back to their customers who are making use of the merchant services.
“Whatever you get today is because you are using the Rokel Simkorpor Marchant Service and we don’t want you all to stop. Let this won’t be your last one,” she said.
Emile Sannah, Supervisor and deputizing the Head-Rokel Sim Korpor RCBank, said that the promotion is to show the bank’s presence in the digital space.
He said that the winners have taken a bold step, adding that they are the crusaders and the people who are making sure that Sierra Leone goes digital.
Sannah said they are making an effort to make sure Sierra Leone becomes a cashless society, noting that RCBank is the number one bank in the country that is making that push. He added that they have come up with many products and services through their Simkorpor to promote cashless transactions.
He said that the particular service they are showcasing is the Marchant Services, wherein customers scan Merchants QR (Quick Response) and electronically pay for goods and services.
Ernest Gooding-Ajax, RCBank’s E-Banking Manager presented the prizes to the winners. He advised them to continue to use the service as ongoing improvements are being made to it.
One of the winners, James Luseni Senesie, thanked RCBank for considering the idea of giving back to its customers, noting that in Sierra Leone it’s uncommon for companies to recognize the people that are using their products and services.
“I feel this is a wonderful encouragement for us to continue using this product,” he said.
Senesie, however, suggested that RCBank integrate their Sim-Korpor Service and the ATM service so that customers can withdraw money on Sundays and also help promote the cashless system in society.
Another winner, Melvin Tarawalie, commended RCBank for their efforts in moving customers to a digital cashless economy, noting that he was also working on some projects to move the economy to a cashless one.
He said that he doesn’t like to move around with money and has to ask at most places he goes if they have the Simkorpor services available.
Tarawalie said the Simkorpor Service is available in some supermarkets but called on the bank to extend it to fuel stations as well, as that will increase transactions.
He concluded by calling for an increase in the facility and for more sensitizations to be done for the general public to know about the Simkorpor services.
Ten winners were given prizes this week. The promotion will continue in subsequent weeks, and then a final draw will be made.