Nanyuki: The Standard Chartered Bank has partnered with lifestyle restaurant chain Artcaffe for personalised services for their clients in Nanyuki town, Laikipia. The partnership saw the bank launch the co-shared space for both the bank and restaurant, marking a strategic shift in how the lender intends to serve clients in a fast-growing region.
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative will see the bank integrate hospitality-inspired spaces within its branch network, creating what executives described as a more ‘courteous and evolving environment’ for customers, even as digital banking continues to dominate the banking industry. Head of Wealth and Retail Banking, Standard Chartered Edith Chumba attributed the partnership to the need for increased demand for connected experiences among consumers: a one-stop shop for all their needs.
Chumba stated, ‘This trend is reflected in the growth of mixed-use developments that allow people to shop, work, and relax within the same space.’ She added that by situating their service centres in popular lifestyle and business hubs, the bank is making banking more accessible. Clients can now manage their finances while grabbing a coffee, shopping, or heading to work.
Bongiwe Ngageni, in charge of Standard Chartered Wealth and Retail Banking in Africa, Middle East, and Europe, highlighted the significance of the partnership as a step towards a renewed experience for their clients in both digital banking spaces and physical presence. ‘The world has moved on, and the manner in which physical presence is experienced by our clients has changed significantly and that’s why this partnership with Artcaffe is important,’ she noted.
Artcaffe had a similar arrangement with Upper Hill’s Britam Center four years ago.
