SYSTEMS

Democratic Republic of Congo’s private bank RAWBANK has deployed a combination of software and hardware technologies from IBM, to enhance client satisfaction, increase banking application performance and security processes and reduce energy usage costs by 20%.

Offering technology architecture and flexibility, the new core banking systems such as IBM Blade Center HS22, PS700 servers and Informix software will help transform its existing systems to increase its customer base in the largely un-banked Central African country.

The bank will now be able to provide a suite of new products including Internet banking, mobile banking, SMS banking and many card-based services to a wider range of customers.

Out of an estimated population of 65 million in the DRC, there are currently only about 2 million banking customers.

RAWBANK chief executive officer Thierry Taeymans said, "In spite of infrastructure challenges in the DRC, this technology allows us to serve our clients faster, with significantly reduced waiting time, and launch a 24 hour customer service hotline."

RAWBANK intends to open 10 new branches by the end of 2012. With an active presence in over 20 countries, IBM has ties with over 25 banks across Africa.