The Tribune

Scotiabank (Bahamas) has hosted a webinar attended by more than 100 small and medium-sized businesses to help them prepare for the transition to digital banking.

The November 16 session, which was hosted under the theme Making the switch to digital banking for business, introduced attendees to the Scotia Online for Business digital platform that is geared for customers who generate significant volumes of business-related transactions.

Roger Archer, Scotiabank (Bahamas) managing director, underscored the bank’s commitment to supporting both business and personal banking customers. “Our dedicated team of personal banking and business banking officers will also remain available to service and support customers as we make the transition to digital,” he said.

Mr Archer added that the session was specially hosted for business customers in the Family Islands ahead of the previously-announced branch consolidation that will take place in early 2021. Scotiabank executives have been engaging with customers to ensure they can continue to conduct their banking transactions seamlessly.

The Scotiabank chief also told attendees that “we have not only invested in the systems that will make everyday banking safer and more convenient; we are also directing a significant amount of human resources to help drive this process and increase enrollment for our digital channels".

The webinar featured live demonstrations of the digital banking platform, and gave participants the chance to ask questions and benefit from real-time feedback on their concerns.

Amanda Treco, an executive with Damian's Treco Building and Renovations, and a long-time Scotiabank customer, said: “The webinar was very informative. It was helpful with providing additional clarity on how to conduct transactions, and also provided information on what additional services are available. "

Na-amah Barker, Scotiabank's director of retail banking, said “Our aim during the session was to introduce and engage any business that has an interest in accessing the added savings, safety and convenience of the bank’s digital channels.

“As we continue to face the many uncertainties still posed by the COVID-19 crisis, we firmly believe digital banking is a solid step into a 'new normal' for both private individuals and our business customers who all desire fast, uninterrupted and convenient banking services."

Scotiabank says use of its digital banking channels has increased as it continues to promote these services to help minimise any disruptions in service to customers amid the pandemic.