The ever-changing landscape of technology has helped a great deal in improving the lives of modern-day women and is likely to continue to play an important role in how they manage their finances, according to Heidie Ziervogel, Head of Banking Product and Packaging at Nedbank Private Wealth.
“Technology has definitely changed the way in which I manage my personal and professional life. My phone and tablet are my constant companions,” says Ziervogel. “They help me to be more mobile and make my life easier by enabling the convenience of doing what I need to at any place and anytime.”
The convenience offered by mobility and the real-time capabilities of mobile and digital technology services has also improved the accessibility to banking services. And, with South African women gaining a stronger foothold in their career paths, many are looking to their financial institutions for instant banking and investment services.
“I believe that technology is an enabler that makes banking more accessible for our female clients,” says Ziervogel. “Specifically in the private wealth industry, it is a catalyst for growth.”
Women are able to keep track of their spending and wealth creation by way of Consolidated View TM, Nedbank Private Wealth’s personal financial management tool. It integrates relationships with Nedbank Private Wealth and other external financial institutions and reflects their balance sheet and income statement in a single dashboard.
Mobile apps, such as the Nedbank App Suite, allow women on the go to trade transact and bank wherever, whenever and at any time.
Besides her private banker, she can access the Nedbank Private Wealth client contact suite 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year for all of her day-to-day banking queries.
“Women want freedom of choice in how they do business with us – and technology helps us to facilitate their needs seamlessly,” says Ziervogel. “I foresee leveraging this capability, especially for reaching our next generation, in the not too distant future.”
There are many other benefits for the shrewd and discerning professional female investor who is looking to take their investment offshore. These include access to Nedbank Private Wealth’s Focus account, which offers services including foreign exchange, current accounts in any of the world’s leading currencies, versatile Platinum Visa cards in any, or all, of the three major currencies (such as the US Dollar, Pound and Euro), as well as fixed term and structured deposits. Through these, clients are able to transact and deal with their banking and investment affairs effortlessly over the telephone and execute multiple transactions ranging from internal account transfers through to multi-currency transactions and investment dealing.
“Besides taking care of our female clients’ banking requirements, Nedbank Private Wealth offers lifestyle and travel benefits such as automatic enrolment into rewards programmes, access to Concierge and travel desk and local and international airline lounge access. Points for these can be redeemed on or towards the cost of accommodation, entertainment and airline tickets or points can be converted into air miles with any of the American Express airline partners, including British Airways and South African Airways. Points can also be redeemed by purchasing a wide range of retail and merchandise items,” says Ziervogel.
Worldwide, women remain the largest banking market. Service providers, including banks, are always tailoring services to meet the perceived unique needs of women.
