BoV launches new range of new 24/7 services

Bank of Valletta has launched a range of new services that are available to customers making use of BoV Internet Banking, BoV Telephone Banking or the BoV Customer Service Centre.

Details about the new services were given by Joseph F.X. Zahra, chairman of Bank of Valletta, at the Bank's Head Office in Sliema last month.

Mr Zahra said BoV is still the only bank in Malta offering Internet banking services as part of a package of 24/7 services. "The new services we are launching today will allow customers to operate their foreign currency accounts and effect payment orders in foreign currency through Internet, telephone and customer service centre banking.

"This is the first time that a local bank is empowering the customer to this level and at the same time providing a secure system for effecting payments in any currency to practically anywhere worldwide," Mr Zahra said.

He went on to announce that another new service BoV is introducing is that whereby customers can now view their Lm Fixed Deposit Accounts and also operate their Loan Accounts on a 24/7 basis. Mr Zahra added: "I cannot overemphasise the significance of these new services and especially the fact that, for the first time, a customer using 24/7 services can have a consolidated position of all his accounts with BoV.

"By using BoV Internet Banking, for example, the customer will get to see, on screen, a real-time position on all his accounts - including home loan and personal loan accounts, term deposit accounts and foreign currency accounts.

"This is a unique benefit that BoV is pleased to be in a position to offer its customers. It shows how Bank of Valletta has invested heavily in its IT infrastructure, taking a market leadership position in this field, thus being in a position to maximise customers' access to their banking needs."

Other new services launched allow customers the functionality to view, modify or delete standing orders and to access real time information on the accrued interest on all their accounts.

Customers will also have the facility to view and print a Transaction Reference voucher for each transaction effected through BoV Internet Banking. This voucher contains a unique transaction reference number together with all relevant details of the transaction.

Commenting on the significance of the new services introduced by BoV, Mr Zahra said: "Just ten months ago, I had made a statement that the new 24/7 channels we had launched would empower customers to such a high degree that, over time, these new service solutions would revolutionise the way customers conduct their banking transactions.

"Today, I am proud to say that this promise has become a reality and, with the possibility of operating all types of customer accounts, never has Bank of Valletta throughout its operational history been so accessible to its customers.

"Using these services in conjunction with our ATM network effectively enables our customers to conduct their day to day banking requirements without the need of visiting our branches."

Mr Zahra announced that over 13,000 customers are making use of BoV Internet Banking, BoV Telephone Banking and the BoV Customer Service Centre. Collectively, these customers have effected over 900,000 transactions since last December. He said BoV expected this popularity to continue to increase following the launch of the new services.

The chairman announced that BoV will continue to invest in IT and will continue to spearhead innovation in this area. He said that over the coming weeks the bank will be launching other innovative service delivery channels.

BoV 24/7 users wishing to upgrade their subscription to access their loan accounts, and/or fixed deposits through the channels may do so free of charge by phoning the Customer Service Centre on 2131-2020 or by completing an application form that has been sent to all users. The Customer Service Centre is open from Monday to Saturday for 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (excluding public holidays).

BoV Internet Banking services can be accessed through the BOV Website www.bov.com, where there is an interactive demonstration of the various services available. BoV provides robust security to customers making use of its 24/7 services through the BoV Securekey, a modern handheld electronic device that is simple to use and provides state-of-the-art information security protection.

The BoV Securekey generates one-time passwords that, when used in conjunction with the customer's user ID, provide two factor authentication offering a most sophisticated level of security.

The range of services offered through BOV's 24/7 includes viewing of account balances, listing and downloading transactions, transferring funds from one account to another, ordering statements, viewing encashed cheques on screen, effecting payments to third parties, making bill payments to major service providers, reporting lost or stolen cards, ordering chequebooks, foreign currency and travellers' cheques, calculating loan repayments and asking for information about the bank's charges and fees.

For more information phone Customer Service Centre or e-mail: csc@bov.com.