Agency banking model
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The agency banking model[1] is a function of certain commercial banks in Kenya. The activity is regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya which allows banks to contract third party retail networks as a Banking agent. Upon successful application, vetting and approval,[2] these agents are authorized to offer selected products and services on behalf of the bank.
Definition
A banking agent in India is a commercial entity that has been contracted by a commercial bank and approved by the Central Bank of Kenya to provide specific services on behalf of the bank. This entity shall be equipped with the skills necessary to provide basic banking services according to standards set by the Bank.
This will provide the opportunity to access financial products and services at a location nearest to the customer, thus breaking down certain barriers to financial inclusion such as cost and accessibility.
Agency banking approved activities
Activities that the agency can engage are determined by the contracting bank after assessment[2] of the applying entity. Some of these include:[3]
- Cash withdrawal
- Bills payment
- Cash deposits
- Funds transfer
- Balance enquiry
- Document collection for debit and credit cards, loan applications and account opening forms
- Collection of bank correspondence and mail
- Mobile banking services
Agency banking transactions are denominated in Kenya shillings.
Activities prohibited for agency banking in Kenya
Some activities are prohibited and are listed below. When an agency continues to perform prohibited activities, their contract may be terminated.
- Perform and carry out transactions when the networks and communication failure is experienced. The transaction must have acknowledgement or receipt.
- Charge customers any fees
- Carrying out agency banking business when an agent is no longer a going concern
- Offer its own banking services apart from the sponsoring bank
- Anti-money laundering services
- Foreign exchange transactions
- En-cashing and depositing of cheques
- Provision of cash advances and loans
- Subcontracting to any business to run its agency banking
Major players on Agency Banking in Kenya
Several Kenyan commercial Banks have recorded an increased[4] uptake of Agency banking model and as of 2016 majority of the deposits and withdrawal transactions were originating from Agents locations. Banks like Equity Bank Kenya Limited[5] have in the recent past recorded an average of 20000 recruited agents. KCB Bank Kenya Limited has an average of 10000[6] Mtaani Agents who the bank depends to reach the marginalised. Cooperative Bank of Kenya also has established a successful Co-op Kwa Jirani Agents.[7]
References
- ^ "Agency Banking in KenyaBanking in Kenya". Bankinginkenya.com. 2011-07-05. Retrieved 2017-02-23.
- ^ a b "How to become an Equity Agent - Equity Bank Ltd Kenya". Ke.equitybankgroup.com. Retrieved 2017-02-23.
- ^ "Co-operative Bank of Kenya • Agency Banking services". Co-opbank.co.ke. Archived from the original on 2017-02-19. Retrieved 2017-02-23.
- ^ "CBK: Kenyan banks record growth in agency banking model - Branding Voice". Standardmedia.co.ke. Retrieved 2017-02-23.
- ^ "Equity Bank 3.0: Agency Banking & Equitel". Bankelele. 2015-11-23. Retrieved 2017-02-23.
- ^ "Agency banking brings services closer to Kenyans | KCB Blog". Blog.kcbbankgroup.com. Archived from the original on 2017-02-19. Retrieved 2017-02-23.
- ^ Martin Gicheru (2011-04-13). "Co-op Kwa Jirani, a new Agency banking by Co-op bank". Techweez.com. Retrieved 2017-02-23.