Liberia’s digital financial inclusion takes shape, as IB joins Lonestar Cell MTN’s “Push and Pull service” 

By Lincoln G. Peters 

International Bank Liberia Limited (IB) in partnership with Liberia’s leading GSM company, Lonestar Cell MTN, over the weekend officially joined the MTN “Push and Pull Service” aimed at reducing the overcrowding and long cue in banking halls through the link of customers’ accounts with their MTN Mobile Money accounts.

The program was held at IB’s 11th Street, Sinkor branch, the facility presumed to be the tallest and biggest commercial financial banking building in the country.

The event was graced by several employees, customers and officials of both MTN and IB Liberia Limited.

The indoor program was dominated by MTN employees, all dressed in their usual yellow mixed-blue shirts and IB employees, dressed in their weekend banking clothes.

Making a remark at the program, Lonestar Cell MTN Mobile Money Product and Service Manager, Mr. Prince D. Chesson, said he was excited that the company had made another history by bringing on board IB to join the MTN “Push and Pull Service.”

Mr. Chesson said the joining of IB brings the number of bank subscribers to MTN Push and Pull Service to six across the country.

He said the service will enable customers to deposit and withdraw or do any financial transaction with their accounts without going to the bank to stand in long lines at any location.

Chesson explained that there will no longer worry about long lines in banking halls, saying t all customers need to do is to visit any MTN cash-out agent point at any location and just do deposits or withdrawals from their accounts.

He also disclosed that IB now has access to MTN’s 1.2 million subscribers which will enable the bank to do every digital transaction and withdrawal.

He however thanked and appreciated the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) through its governors for the tireless efforts and support to the Government of Liberia’s financial inclusion strategy.

Chesson added that whenever developers come out with a digital inclusion financial strategy to help the economic sector, the CBL always approves and grants their proposal after examining it carefully. 

“Today, we crossed another milestone. We welcome IB Bank to the Lonestar Cell MTN family through its manager and professional bankers and customers,” he said. 

“Finally, I like to urge customers to link their accounts so they can track their spending and protect their hard-earned money with less stress and emergency responses,” said Mr. Ali Fakih, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lonestar Cell MTN.

For her part, International Bank Liberia Limited (IB) representative Jacquline B. Williams extolled Lonestar Cell MTN for the partnership, adding that it’s very important because it gives customers multiple channels through which they can transact and have easy access to their accounts.

“I am always excited when we launch [a] new service or product because we are not only extending our service but also deepening our country’s financial system,” said Madam Williams. 

“As head of operations, we continue to run on the goal and pick up the boxes in our strategic action plan for digital financial inclusion in Liberia,” she concluded.