Absa takes banking to new level with GijimaAst, Wincor Nixdorf

Issued by GijimaAst
Johannesburg, 26 Jul 2006

As one of South Africa`s leading financial services groups, Absa is once again aiming to change the face of banking for its growing customer base, with its roll-out of self-service kiosks and Internet terminals to selected Absa branches.

To assist in applying its customer-centric business model, Absa selected GijimaAst in partnership with Wincor Nixdorf Germany as one of its self-service solutions suppliers for the deployment of these terminals.

Having completed successful pilots specific to Internet banking terminals, as well as non-cash terminals within selected Absa branches, Absa has initiated a project to roll-out these solutions to the branch network throughout South Africa. The roll-out has resulted in an order of 125 Wincor Nixdorf ProConsult 2000 seated terminals, as well as 115 Wincor Nixdorf ProConsult 2050 TTW units.

"We have recognised that the hi-tech solution of Wincor Nixdorf not only provides us with a competitive-edge, but it will enable our customers to perform enhanced self-service banking after hours," explains Venete Klein, Executive Director, Absa Retail Banking. "This is aligned to Absa`s new business strategy aimed at offering convenient and diversified online services to its current and future customer base."

Keeping in line with Absa`s policy of being a truly South African bank, the self-service kiosks will be available in eight of the official languages. In addition, the kiosks will be available 24 hours, seven days a week creating banking for the larger community of South Africa.

"Our geographical footprint and in-depth knowledge of the financial industry allows us to create complete solutions for Absa that orient themselves to the industry`s challenges and success factors," says Marcelo Hermida of GijimaAst, Wincor Nixdorf`s qualified service partner for banking systems for southern Africa.

Absa

Absa Group Ltd is one of South Africa`s largest financial services organisations, serving personal, commercial, government and corporate customers in South Africa. The group also provides products and services to selected markets in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Germany, USA, China (Hong Kong and Shanghai), Singapore, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Angola and Zimbabwe.

Absa has more than 32 000 employees, 720 full and subsidiary outlets, more than 6 000 ATMs installed and has South Africa`s largest Internet banking customer base. Plans are already in the pipeline to roll out-over 400 ATMs and 30 branches this current financial year. About R300 million will to be spent on banking infrastructure, most of which will be targeted at the unbanked and underbanked. In 2004, Absa was voted to be the most admired financial services company in South Africa.

GijimaAst

GijimaAst`s intellectual capacity, its business model and strong client base form the foundation for the group`s integrated services and solutions business. Ideally positioned as a leading technology solutions company and focused on selected industries, GijimaAst unlocks substantial value for its clients. GijimaAst - Your complete ICT partner.

Wincor Nixdorf

Wincor Nixdorf is one of the world`s leading suppliers of IT solutions to banks (private client banking) and retailers. The company`s extensive portfolio, which consists of hardware products, software, consulting, maintenance and other services, is aimed at reducing the cost and complexity of business processes within branch operations and improving service to the client. The company has over 6 000 employees as of 30 September 2004 and made net sales of EUR1.58 billion last fiscal year. Wincor Nixdorf offers banks a range of hardware products, software and services spanning the entire breadth of self-service and automation solutions with the concerted aim of optimising business processes and costs within bank branches. Key areas of focus are automated teller machines, information and banking transaction terminals, statement printers and further solutions to handle and optimise core branch business processes.

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