StanChart launches video banking for S'pore, Malaysia

Customers of Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore and Malaysia are now able to do banking via video directly from their computers.

The service - which started last month - involves speaking to bank agents over a secure video connection from StanChart's website.

The user clicks on the "Contact Us" button on the website and a webpage opens with a menu listing.

When the "Start Chat" button is clicked, the bank's agent will appear onscreen to handle inquiries and provide customer service.

Customers can choose to chat via video, audio or text messaging. The agents, who are based in Kuala Lumpur, can offer assistance.

"This new sales and service channel allows clients to do almost anything they can do in a branch, from signing up for a new card to finding a mortgage," said StanChart in a statement.

StanChart staff on the video link can provide general banking services to clients, including credit card applications.

Both parties can also share a screen where they can circle information to highlight queries.

StanChart said that it is the first bank in Singapore and Malaysia to offer online video banking from its website.

StanChart's video banking is available via the computer, but the bank is exploring the possibility of offering this service from a mobile device.

"While clients are increasingly migrating to digital banking channels, the human or personal element remains key to building relationships and providing warm, as well as attentive, service," said Mr Andrew Chia, StanChart Singapore's head of retail banking.

StanChart plans to roll out the service to more than five million clients in nine markets across Asia, Africa and the Middle East by the end of the year - Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates, following Singapore and Malaysia.

This article was first published on July 26, 2016.
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