Bhutan Development Bank Limited (BDBL) clients will now have access to Internet banking and a mobile banking application called BDB mobile for fund transactions.

With the new core banking solutions, Finacle, automated teller machine (ATM) switch are expected to be functional at all times, helping the bank to view customer holdings and transactions to create a targeted and customised offering to its customers.

Chief executive officer (CEO) of BDBL, Phub Dorji, said the new system will not only improve data integrity but also be able to handle the Internet, mobile wallet and many more value added services.

He said the bank was using a switch based in Nepal before, meaning whenever clients availed ATM services, it had to be routed through the switch in Nepal, making ATM service delivery inefficient. “BDBL decided to have our own switch and purchased a switching system from Maximus and today we have been able to integrate our ATMs to the new switch.”

Phub Dorji said problems related to ATMs withholding money after withdrawal will be solved faster now. “The mobile banking app ‘BDB mobile’ contains features such as transfer of funds, online payment and utility bill payment.”

The app is available for iPhone and Android operating systems.

The deputy CEO (operations) of BDBL, Sonam Rigyel, said the new core banking system will help the bank achieve its objective of reaching the unreached, product diversification and excellence in customer services. “We are hopeful that through this enhancement of digital systems, our bank will be able to take our service to the next level.”

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, while launching the services, emphasised the importance of improving the livelihood of people living in the rural areas.

BDB has close to 56,000 credit accounts and 159,000 deposit accounts.

The bank has three regional offices, 34 branch offices, 17 gewog field offices, 198 gewog banking services and 40 ATMs across the country.

The CEO said they would cover the remaining gewogs as soon as Internet facilities are available in those gewogs.

Meanwhile, three gewog banking service operators from Orong in Samdrupjongkhar, Chumey in Bumthang and Sephu in Wangduephodrang, were  recognised for their customer service.

Karma Cheki